Manufacturing

Career Ladder

Learn About The Manufacturing Career Path

Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Manufacturing Career Ladder!

Each career level contains information about hourly wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational courses and training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.

To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.

* Many other career paths branch out from apprenticeship within the manufacturing industry.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE
Varies

Manufacturing Managers

$44.91

Industrial Engineering Technologists & Technicians

$31.42

Supervisors, Manufacturing & Assembly

$28.48

Machine Operators

$22.44

Production Line Workers

$18.68

Apprenticeships can lead to careers in manufacturing. It is also possible to enter this career path directly.

Apprenticeship*

$21.00

Apprenticeship

Hourly
Wages

Low
$16.55

Median
$21.00

High
$24.00

what you do

What is Apprenticeship?

  • A pathway to a rewarding career in the trades that require a high level of skill, judgement and creativity
  • A combination of on-the-job training & in-school learning
  • An opportunity to earn an hourly wage while learning from experienced workers
  • A 2-5 year process wherein apprentices work for a year, then switch to studying in class for 8-12 weeks
  • 144 trades in Ontario that support mechanical, electrical, automotive, manufacturing, building and service industries

Skills

Technical Skills
Judgement
Creativity

Examples of Trades with Apprenticeships

General Machinist
Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
Draftsperson Tool and Die Design
Tool and Die Maker

Education & Training Resources

MINISTRY OF LABOUR, TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO

FLEMING COLLEGE

ONTARIO YOUTH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

SUPPORT ONTARIO YOUTH

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Production Line Workers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$16.55

Median
$18.68

High
$24.00

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Transport raw materials, finished products and equipment throughout plant manually or using powered equipment
  • Check and weigh materials and products
  • Sort, pack, crate and package materials and products
  • Clean work areas and equipment

Skills

Attention to Detail
Reliability Teamwork
Interpersonal Skills
Punctuality

Job Title Examples

General Labourer
Machine Packager
Production Worker

Education & Training Resources

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Machine Operators

Hourly
Wages

Low
$19.01

Median
$22.44

High
$27.08

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Fit and assemble components using hand and power tools
  • Clean, polish, file or otherwise finish products
  • Check products for quality and other specifications
  • May clean and lubricate machinery

Skills

Attention To Detail
Quality Control Teamwork
Mechanical Aptitude
Time Management

Job Title Examples

Machine Set-Up Operator
Machine Setter
Machine Feeder

Education & Training Resources

On-the-job-training is often provided. Previous experience as a labourer with the same company may be required.

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Industrial Engineering Technologists & Technicians

Hourly
Wages

Low
$25.14

Median
$31.42

High
$38.21

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Develop and conduct production, inventory and quality assurance programs in manufacturing
  • Collect and analyze data and samples in support of quality assurance and industrial health and safety programs
  • Assist in the design of plant layouts
  • Develop manufacturing and processing procedures and variables, set machine or equipment controls, oversee production and inspect processes

Skills

Interpersonal Skills
Mechanical Aptitude
Attention To Detail
Flexibility
Work Independently

Job Title Examples

Manufacturing Technician
Quality Assurance Technologist
Machinist

Education & Training Resources

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current training programs such as:

  • Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
  • Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and apprenticeship preparation

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Supervisors, Manufacturing
& Assembly

Hourly
Wages

Low
$22.91

Median
$28.48

High
$34.85

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Establish methods to meet work schedules and co-ordinate work activities with other departments
  • Resolve work problems and recommend measures to improve productivity and product quality
  • Train workers in job duties, safety procedures and company policy
  • Prepare production and other reports
  • May set up machines and equipment

Skills

Organization
Interpersonal Skills
Attention To Detail
Time Management Leadership
Conflict Resolution

Job Title Examples

Assembly Supervisor
Manufacturing Foreperson
Manufacturing Supervisor

Education & Training Resources

Several years experience working with the same company may be required.

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

CONTINUING EDUCATION

ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Manufacturing Managers

Hourly
Wages

Low
$34.02

Median
$44.91

High
$58.97

what you do

Main Job Duties

  • Develop and implement plans to efficiently use materials, labour and equipment to meet production targets
  • Plan and manage the operational budget
  • Plan and implement changes to machinery and equipment, productions systems and methods of work
  • Hire, supervise and train or oversee training of employees in the use of new equipment or production techniques

Skills

Leadership
Oral Communication
Time Management
Organization Planning
Conflict Resolution

Job Title Examples

Plant Manager
Factory Operations Manager
Production Manager

Education & Training Resources

Several years experience working with the same company may be required. A college diploma as an engineering technologist or technician may be required.

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

CONTINUING EDUCATION

ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION

Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.

Entrepreneur / Business Owner

Approximately 20 new manufacturing businesses are launched anually in the WDB Region.

entrepreneurs and business owners what you do phone

Main Job Duties

  • Creating and managing a business plan, ongoing research and planning, hiring staff, creating policies, and forecasting
  • Maintaining business accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
  • Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
  • Respond to customer service inquiries, including answering phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business

Skills

Work Independently
Customer Service
Organization Accounting
Time Management

Job Title Examples

Small Business Owner
Franchisee

Education & Training Resources

ONTARIO SUMMER COMPANY
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
STARTER COMPANY PLUS
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
COMMUNITY FUTURES
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
INNOVATION CLUSTER
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies

FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education

TRENT UNIVERSITY
Post-Secondary Education

Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)

These Career Ladders were developed as part of the Pathways to Prosperity Program
and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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