How to become industrial production managerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Management & Consulting Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$126,060
25th–75th pct. $98,160–$161,880
Top pay (est.)
$267,200
Top 10% $205,520
Pay in 5 years
$145,900est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$168,900est.
$145,200–$196,100
Outlook score
56/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
45%
Moderate
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.6%
17K openings / yr

How to become industrial production managers

Typical education
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Related experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Industrial Production Managers

Key skills

Monitoring
4.9
Judgment and Decision Making
4.4
Management of Personnel Resources
4.2
Time Management
4.1
Coordination
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Management of Financial Resources
4.0
Management of Material Resources
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Production and Processing
5.4
Administration and Management
4.7
Education and Training
4.6
Personnel and Human Resources
4.0
Engineering and Technology
3.9
Customer and Personal Service
3.9
Administrative
3.8
Mechanical
3.8

What the work involves

Handling and Moving ObjectsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsControlling Machines and ProcessesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Important abilities

Oral ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningOral ExpressionProblem SensitivityFluency of IdeasWritten Expression

Education of workers

High school diploma
29%
Bachelor's degree
26%
Post-secondary certificate
16%
Some college
12%
Associate's degree
8%
Less than high school
5%
Post-bachelor's certificate
2%
Master's degree
1%

Training before entry

1–3 months
17%
1–2 years
16%
Up to 1 month
15%
6–12 months
14%
3–6 months
11%
None / short demo
10%
Over 10 years
5%
4–10 years
5%
2–4 years
5%

Related work experience

1–2 years
28%
4–6 years
21%
Over 10 years
13%
2–4 years
13%
6–8 years
10%
None
8%
6–12 months
3%
3–6 months
2%
8–10 years
1%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as industrial production managers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.