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Manufacturing Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Manufacturing Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Manufacturing Director in the United States is $193,888 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $93.

However, a Manufacturing Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $231,360
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $177,160 to $213,502
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $161,930

Key Factors That Influence Manufacturing Director Salaries

A Manufacturing Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Manufacturing Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Manufacturing Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Manufacturing Manager (0-5 years): $136,544
  • Manufacturing Senior Manager (5+ years): $156,852
  • Manufacturing Director (5+ years): $193,888
  • VP of Manufacturing (5+ years): $231,900
  • SVP of Manufacturing (5+ years): $277,372
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Manufacturing Manager0-5 years$136,544
Manufacturing Senior Manager5+ years$156,852
Manufacturing Director5+ years$193,888
VP of Manufacturing5+ years$231,900
SVP of Manufacturing5+ years$277,372

Top Paying Cities for Manufacturing Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $244,551
  • San Francisco: $241,873
  • Oakland: $236,776

Manufacturing Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Manufacturing Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $217,494. While startup companies pay approximate $184,041.

Manufacturing Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $184,041
Growth Stage 51~500 $194,628
Established 501~5000 $210,046
Enterprise 5000+ $217,494

Manufacturing Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Manufacturing Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 41% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 18% above the average. In contrast, Manufacturing Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Manufacturing Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Manufacturing Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$228,788$110.018%
Energy & Utilities$222,971$107.015%
Software & Networking$213,277$103.010%
Internet$207,460$100.07%
Aerospace & Defense$201,644$97.04%

Manufacturing Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Manufacturing Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$177,160
Average $193,888/year
$213,502
$14,763
Average $16,157/month
$17,792
$3,407
Average $3,729/week
$4,106
$85
Average $93/hour
$103
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $213,502 $17,792 $4,106 $103
Average $193,888 $16,157 $3,729 $93
25th Percentile $177,160 $14,763 $3,407 $85

Manufacturing Director Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Manufacturing Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Manufacturing role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $231,900 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Manufacturing Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Manufacturing Director

Here are companies hiring for Manufacturing Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Manufacturing Director

1. Where can a Manufacturing Director earn the most?

A Manufacturing Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Manufacturing Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Manufacturing Director is $244,551.

2. What is the highest pay for Manufacturing Director?

The highest pay for Manufacturing Director is $231,360.

3. What is the lowest pay for Manufacturing Director?

The lowest pay for Manufacturing Director is $161,930.

4. What are the responsibilities of Manufacturing Director?

Directs manufacturing operations and management teams for plants and locations of an organization that support business goals. Incorporates the organizational strategy and plans for operational safety, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and cost control policies and programs in manufacturing processes. Monitors production metrics and recommends process improvements, new technologies, and methods to maximize operational efficiency. Participates in workforce or labor relations negotiations and planning activities. Implements long-term plans for facilities, equipment, materials, technology, and workforce resources to maintain manufacturing capacity and processes. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Manufacturing Director?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Manufacturing Director roles, with salaries approximately 18% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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