The United States is undergoing a manufacturing revival, driven by efforts to reshore critical industries, strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand domestic employment. Yet how many jobs this resurgence will actually create remains unclear.
A 2024 study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute projected demand for up to 3.8 million new manufacturing workers between 2024 and 2033, with roughly half of those positions at risk of going unfilled due to persistent talent shortages. In contrast, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a much smaller increase—just 110,000 new manufacturing jobs by 2033. Meanwhile, our independent analysis of state-level projections compiled from state labor departments estimates a combined 10-year manufacturing employment growth of about 400,000 jobs nationally.
This wide range of estimates reflects the uncertainty surrounding the future of the sector. Job growth will likely depend on the success of federal industrial policy, including recent efforts to boost domestic production of semiconductors and energy technologies, as well as on how effectively automation and advanced technologies can bridge current workforce gaps. While manufacturing productivity has grown—real manufacturing GDP increased 45% since 2000—the sector has shed over 4.5 million jobs during that time, highlighting a growing disconnect between output and employment.
To better understand where manufacturing may contribute most to future job growth, ETQ—a quality management platform for the manufacturing sector—analyzed the latest workforce projections from 49 state labor departments, covering 2022–2032 or 2023–2033, depending on the state. The data offer a state-by-state view of projected growth in manufacturing employment relative to overall job creation.
The Top States for Manufacturing Job Growth
While Texas is projected to add the most jobs, Utah will see the fastest growth rate
Source: ETQ analysis of data from state Departments of Labor
Projected manufacturing job growth over the next decade is not concentrated in the nation’s traditional industrial centers, but instead in the South and Mountain West. States like Texas, Georgia, and Florida are expected to add the most jobs in raw numbers, while Utah, Arizona, and Idaho will lead in relative growth. This regional shift reflects the rise of newer manufacturing hubs tied to high-tech sectors like semiconductors, electric vehicles, and aerospace.
Top States by Total Manufacturing Job Growth
1. Texas (+57,644 jobs, +6.4%)
Texas is projected to add nearly 58,000 manufacturing jobs between 2022 and 2032—more than any other state. This growth comes alongside a projected 14.7% increase in total employment statewide. Texas’s diverse manufacturing base includes automotive, aerospace, electronics, and energy equipment. Major projects, such as Samsung’s $17 billion semiconductor plant in Taylor and Tesla’s expansion in Austin, reflect the state’s growing role in advanced and high-tech manufacturing.
2. Georgia (+36,600 jobs, +8.9%)
Georgia is expected to add 36,600 manufacturing jobs over the decade, outpacing its total projected employment growth of 11.0%. The state has become a magnet for electric vehicle and battery production, driven by investments from Kia, Hyundai, Rivian, and SK Battery America. Strong logistics infrastructure and access to the Port of Savannah further support manufacturing expansion across sectors like food processing and aerospace.
3. Florida (+31,879 jobs, +7.8%)
Florida projects the addition of nearly 32,000 manufacturing jobs by 2032, compared to a 9.3% increase in overall employment. Growth is driven by sectors such as aerospace, medical devices, and electronics. The state’s strategic coastal location and expanding population fuel demand for manufactured goods, while defense-related manufacturing remains strong along the Space Coast and in Central Florida.
Top States by Relative Manufacturing Job Growth
1. Utah (+25,180 jobs, +16.6%)
Utah is projected to lead the nation in relative manufacturing job growth, with employment expected to rise 16.6% between 2022 and 2032. The state’s largest manufacturing industries include aerospace, medical devices, and electronics. Utah’s growing reputation as a hub for high-tech and clean industries, combined with a favorable regulatory environment, continues to attract new investment.
2. Arizona (+31,504 jobs, +16.2%)
Arizona ranks second in relative growth, with a 16.2% projected increase in manufacturing jobs through 2033, alongside a 14.2% increase in total employment. The state is emerging as a semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse, led by major projects from Intel and TSMC. These high-capital investments are making Arizona a critical node in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, even as many operations remain highly automated.
3. Idaho (+10,937 jobs, +15.0%)
Idaho is expected to grow its manufacturing workforce by 15.0%, adding nearly 11,000 jobs by 2032. This compares to a 13.8% projected increase in total employment. Key industries include semiconductors, with Micron Technology expanding operations, as well as food processing, which benefits from the state’s strong agricultural base. Despite its relatively small workforce, Idaho’s growth signals rising interest in rural and mid-sized markets for advanced manufacturing.
Altogether, manufacturing employment is expected to grow in 42 states and decline in seven (data for Kentucky is not available). However, in only 12 states is the percentage increase in manufacturing employment projected to outpace growth in total employment—highlighting the continued trend toward more capital- and technology-intensive production.
For a state-by-state breakdown of projected manufacturing and total employment growth over the next decade, see the original post on ETQ: States Where Manufacturing Jobs Are Projected to Grow the Most.
Methodology
Photo Credit: Juice Flair / Shutterstock
To determine where manufacturing jobs are projected to grow the most, ETQ compiled state-level employment projections from each state’s labor department or workforce agency. Because these projections are not maintained in a centralized database, data were manually collected from official state sources. A list of these websites can be found at Projections Central. The most recent 10-year projections available were used, covering either 2022–2032 or 2023–2033, depending on the state.
For each state, ETQ calculated the absolute and percentage change in manufacturing employment over the projection period. Total employment projections were also collected to provide context for manufacturing growth relative to broader job trends. Kentucky was excluded from the analysis due to unavailable data.
For complete results, see States Where Manufacturing Jobs Are Projected to Grow the Most on ETQ.
