Manufacturing

Behind every single product is a hundred different hands.
Find where yours can fit in.

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It takes a team to create a product, whether it’s food, essential packaging, or world-renown cars. South Central Kentucky features numerous opportunities, some with international connections, to join those teams and develop a career around making the materials our modern world requires. With the continued growth of technology, today’s manufacturing pathways have a multitude of high-tech positions for you.

Manufacturing Career Pathway

Bachelor’s Degree

Industrial Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Industrial Production Manager
Occupational Health & Safety Specialist
Mechanical Engineer
Purchasing Manager
Plant Manager
Chemical Engineer

AVERAGE SALARY RANGE:
$83,900 – $117,300

Associate’s Degree

Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technologist & Technician 
Electro-Mechanical & Mechatronics Technologist & Technician
Tool & Die Maker
Chemical Technician

AVERAGE SALARY RANGE:
$39,700 – $80,600

Certification, Apprenticeship & On the Job

Maintenance Technician
Supervisor of Production & Operating Workers
Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Production Clerk
Tool & Die Maker
Electrical & Electronics Reparier

AVERAGE SALARY RANGE:
$48,400 – $67,300

High School Diploma

Production Technician
Welder
Team Assembler
Packer
Manufacturing Sales Representative
Press Machine Operator
Mold Machine Operator 
Food Batch Maker
Machinist
Coating Operator
Printing Press Operator

AVERAGE SALARY RANGE:
$31,900 – $93,800

Data Source Chumra JobsEQ®

Manufacturing in South Central Kentucky

High Demand Positions In Manufacturing

( South Central Kentucky )

  • Electrical Engineer

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree Average Annual Salary: $97,800

  • Industrial Engineer

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s Degree Average Annual Salary: $90,300

  • Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Tech

Minimum Required Education: Associate’s Degree or Post-Secondary Award  Average Annual Salary: $72,000

  • Maintenance Technician

Minimum Required Education: On the Job Training & High School Diploma Average Annual Salary: $65,800

  • Electrical & Electronic Engineering Tech

Minimum Required Education: Associate’s Degree or Post-secondary Award  Average Annual Salary: $60,700

  • Tool and Die Maker

Minimum Required Education: Postsecondary Non Degree Award  Average Annual Salary: $54,500

  • Welder

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma Average Annual Salary: $44,800

  • Entry Level Manufacturing

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma Average Annual Salary: $43,800

  • Production Technician

Minimum Required Education: High School Diploma Average Annual Salary: $40,900

HSD: High School Diploma OJT: On-the-Job Training, PSE: Post-Secondary Education STT: Short-Term Training GED: General Educational Development *Higher level of education preferred

Data Source Chumra JobsEQ®

Resources

Resources to start building your pathway are available throughout the community and through educational certifications. Local schools are just one of many resources, and in the surrounding area these programs and career models are offered. See what’s available in your community.

View Career Development Resources

Career-Focused Models

  • Industrial Technician Assistant Program (Warren Central High School)
  • Manufacturing TRACK Youth Apprentiship (Bowling Green High School)

Career Pathways Offered at Area High Schools:

  • Agricultural Power, Structural, Technical Systems (Warren Central)
  • Maintenance Machinist (Warren County Area Technology Center)
  • Welding (Greenwood, Warren Central, Warren East, Warren County Area Technology Center)

Get In Touch

For more information about how you can get involved with our talent initiatives, please email or call:

Meredith Rozanski, COO
meredith@bgchamber.com
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
270-781-3200