October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota. There are more than 8,500 manufacturers across the state that create products that Minnesotans and people worldwide rely on every day. From life-saving medical devices to outdoor gear that fuels adventure, tech breakthroughs to food for our families, Minnesota’s manufacturers shape our world here at home and around the globe. Manufacturing jobs provide not only family-sustaining wages but also opportunities for growth, innovation and pride in building things that matter.

Behind every Minnesota-made product is a team of highly skilled workers whose creativity, expertise and dedication strengthen Minnesota’s communities and quality of life. There are more than 320,000 people working in Minnesota’s manufacturing sector, taking home $26.7 billion in wages in 2024 with an average annual wage of just over $83,000 – 12% higher than the state’s overall average the same year. The industry boasts the second-largest payroll across private sector industries.

Looking to the future, with more than 93,000 job openings projected for manufacturing production positions through 2032, manufacturing is one of the most reliable career pathways in Minnesota.

DEED has a series of high-impact programs to help Minnesota manufacturers grow, hire and succeed. These include:

• The Minnesota Investment Fund and Job Creation Fund, providing financing and incentives to help add new workers and retain high-quality jobs.
• The Minnesota Forward Fund, providing grants and loans to businesses that are making large private capital investments in new and existing industries
• The Automation Loan Participation Program, making companion loans to fill gaps in financing needs for businesses purchasing machinery, equipment or software to increase productivity and automation.
• Drive for 5, preparing Minnesotans for high-demand jobs in manufacturing, as well as four other occupational categories, by prioritizing training for populations that face obstacles to employment.
• The Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, working with businesses, educational institutions and nonprofits to train or retrain workers, expand work opportunities and keep high-quality jobs in the state. Sixty-five percent of all MJSP grants are for manufacturing businesses.
• The Automation Training Incentive Program, awarding grants to small businesses in the manufacturing or skilled production industry to train incumbent workers efficiently on new automation technology.
• The Job Training Incentive Program, helping new or expanding businesses in Greater Minnesota train workers quickly and efficiently.

For a look into how manufacturing impacts your economic development region, you can explore the Manufacturing Month Local Look Blogs from regional economic analysts on DEED’s Labor Market Information team. You can find many Manufacturing Month resources, including information about career exploration and hiring events taking place throughout the month around the state at CareerForce.MN.gov/Manufacturing.