Since 1999, total employment in manufacturing has drastically declined. At the same time, as a result of advances in technology and overall efficiency, manufacturing output has increased. Some cities rely more heavily on manufacturing work than others. A recent report from Smartest Dollar examines manufacturing jobs in the United States. Researchers identified the U.S. cities with the largest share of employment in manufacturing . Read on for a list of metro areas (small, medium and large) with the most manufacturing jobs.
Cities With the Most Manufacturing Jobs
Looking for a job in the manufacturing sector? Based on a recent report from Smartest Dollar, the following cities offer the most manufacturing job opportunities.
Small Metro Areas
- Elkhart-Goshen, IN – 48.2% share*
- Dalton, GA – 36.1%
- Sheboygan, WI – 36%
- Morristown, TN – 26.1%
- Wausau-Weston, WI – 25.3%
- Fond du Lac, WI – 23.2%
- Decatur, AL – 23%
- Spartanburg, SC – 22.6%
- Racine, WI – 22.6%
- Decatur, IL – 21.9%
Midsize Metro Areas
- Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC – 27%
- Wichita, KS – 18%
- Reading, PA – 17.7%
- York-Hanover, PA – 17%
- Fort Wayne, IN – 16.7%
- Canton- Massillon, OH – 15.4%
- Toledo, OH – 15.1%
- Greensboro-High Point, NC – 14.7%
- Lancaster, PA – 14.4%
- Peoria, IL – 13.6%
Large Metro Areas
- Grand Rapids-Kentwood, MI – 21%
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA – 15.1%
- Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI – 13.7%
- Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI – 12.6%
- Louisville-Jefferson County, KY/IN – 12.3%
- Cleveland-Elyria, OH – 11.4%
- Cincinnati, OH – 10.8%
- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, WA/OR – 10.6%
- Rochester, NY – 10.5%
- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT – 10.4%
*Share of employment in manufacturing. See the full report here: https://smartestdollar.com/research/cities-with-the-most-manufacturing-jobs-2020