The ongoing decline in traditional U.S. manufacturing jobs is not without its silver lining. In particular, the need for productivity growth and cost-efficient automation has made industrial manufacturing careers more financially appealing for engineers. The increased use in various sectors of nanotechnology and biomaterials is also expected to create a new generation of manufacturing engineering jobs. The pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry will provide excellent job opportunities in the coming decade as well.

The number of production jobs in the industrial manufacturing sector will continue to decline in the U.S. and abroad. However, decreased competition should brighten the employment outlook for experienced applicants seeking factory, machinist or welding jobs.