Advanced Manufacturing
The Advanced Manufacturing Career Cluster blends innovative technologies and practices to enhance design and production.
What this cluster covers
- Definition
- The Advanced Manufacturing Career Cluster blends innovative technologies and practices to enhance design and production. It covers areas such as engineering, research and development, automation and artificial intelligence, equipment maintenance, safety protocols, and quality control. This Cluster aims to increase efficiency, reduce waste, ensure safety, and produce high-quality goods, driving the industry’s growth and adapting to modern demands.
Advance CTE
Advanced Manufacturing Career ClusterAdvance CTE- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Careers in this cluster
Entry education, license and BLS pay and outlook for every career page in this cluster. Each career page shows what the job is and links its step-by-step roadmap.
| Career | Typical entry | License | Median pay, May 2025 | Outlook 2025–35 | Career page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering Engineering |
Bachelor's degree | For some roles Engineering (PE) license |
$104,110 Mechanical engineers |
+11% BLSOccupational Outlook HandbookU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
|
Open: Mechanical Engineering |
| Electrical Engineering Engineering |
Bachelor's degree | For some roles Engineering (PE) license |
$125,040 Electrical and electronics engineers |
+8% BLSOccupational Outlook HandbookU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
|
Open: Electrical Engineering |
| Aerospace Engineering Engineering |
Bachelor's degree | For some roles Engineering (PE) license |
$134,960 Aerospace engineers |
+8% BLSOccupational Outlook HandbookU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
|
Open: Aerospace Engineering |
| Welder Production & Automation |
High school diploma plus technical and on-the-job training | Licensed only in some states and localities; professional bodies offer general certification. | $53,750 | +2% BLSWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Welder |
| Machinist Industrial Machinery |
High school diploma or equivalent | No license; optional certification (for example CNC operation, CAD/CAM) shows competency. | $59,620 machinists and tool and die makers together |
−1% BLSMachinists and Tool and Die Makers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Machinist |
| CNC tool operator Production & Automation |
High school diploma | No license named; certification can show competence. | $47,700 all metal and plastic machine workers |
−7% BLSMetal and Plastic Machine Workers — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: CNC tool operator |
| Industrial machinery mechanic Industrial Machinery |
High school diploma or equivalent | No license named. | $64,100 with machinery maintenance workers |
+14% BLSIndustrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Industrial machinery mechanic |
| Industrial Engineer Engineering |
Bachelor's degree | Optional (PE) | $102,440 Industrial engineers |
+12% BLSIndustrial Engineers — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)
|
Open: Industrial Engineer |
Pay is the BLS median for the occupation named under it, for May 2025; half of workers earned more, half less. For comparison, BLS projects all U.S. jobs to grow 3.5% over 2025–35. The career's sub-cluster comes from Advance CTE's SOC crosswalk.
Also in this cluster
Advance CTE places some occupations in more than one cluster. These careers have their page under another cluster, and the crosswalk puts them here too.
- Environmental Scientist Ecological Research & Development
- Forester & Conservation Scientist Conservation & Land Management
Sub-clusters and example programs
Major groupings of career areas within a given field that have similar skills as defined by industry area. The programs are Advance CTE's examples of school and college programs of study; what is offered varies by state.
-
Engineering
Careers that use engineering principles to develop and improve manufacturing processes and systems and to design products.
Example programs Engineering & Technology · Pre-Engineering · Semiconductor Manufacturing · Engineering Technology
-
Industrial Machinery
Careers focused on working with manual equipment, such as computer-numerical-controlled (CNC) machines, 3D printers, quality control equipment, material handling tools, maintenance and repair devices, specialized machining and surface treatment machines, fabrication equipment, and energy management systems.
Example programs Industrial Machine Mechanics · Precision Machining
-
Production & Automation
Careers centered on the hands-on management and execution of manufacturing processes.
Example programs Apparel & Textile Production · Manufacturing Production Process Development
-
Robotics
Careers involved in developing, implementing, and maintaining technologies that deploy robotics.
Example programs Industry 4.0 · Robotics Technology
-
Safety & Quality Assurance
Careers dedicated to ensuring workplace safety, worker health, environmental compliance, and product quality.
Example programs Safety & Environmental Assurance
Closely connected clusters
Advance CTE, from national labor market data: this cluster is most closely connected to these clusters. Advance CTE
View source
- Agriculture
- Arts, Entertainment, & Design
- Construction
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Healthcare & Human Services
- Supply Chain & Transportation
Every cluster with its sub-clusters, and which hubs are open.