(York, PA) - The 2023 edition of the Manufacturers’ Association’s Annual Manufacturing Wage & 

Salary report shows the continued demand for both the region’s skilled and hourly positions 

needed to meet customer demand and to replace the retiring workforce. Reflecting the 

national labor market tightness, the report’s results show 50% of manufacturers responded they 

intend to increase their overall employment in the next 12 months, compared to 64% in 2022 

and 73% in 2021. Manufacturers expect to continue to increase employment as it had in 2021 & 

2022 with over 585 new hires over the next 12 months. Manufacturing workers earn 33% more 

compared to the average for other nonfarm businesses in the state and an average yearly 

compensation of $86,129, including benefits*.

Wage and Salary Report Notable Results:

• 84% of participating manufacturing companies in the survey reported difficulty in hiring, 

with hourly and skilled hourly workers remaining the most commonly difficult positions to 

hire.

• 48% of companies gave firm estimates for the number of new positions they plan to 

create in the next year, forecasting a total of 585 positions. In 2022, companies reported 

plans to add 881 positions in the next year, while the same number in 2021 was 1,146.

• Turnover rates for hourly workers decreased 2% from 2022 levels. The average turnover 

rates for salaried non-exempt personnel decreased 41%, while the average turnover for 

salaried exempt decreased by 31%, compared to 2022.

• The manufacturing workforce is aging - one-third or more of their workforce will reach 

retirement age in the next 5 years, compared with 22% of companies in 2022’s survey.

• To address hiring challenges, 52% of manufacturers said they have changed recruiting 

practices since last year, down from 71%, of companies reporting an increase in 2022.

• The proportion of jobs taking 3 months or more to fill increased from 22% in 2022 to 30% 

in 2023. Among the trades, companies report the most difficulty hiring machinists, 

toolmakers, and maintenance workers.

• Average starting production wages for hourly roles saw an average increase of 5% over 

2022 numbers, compared to an 8% increase 2021-22.

This survey is meant to serve as a benchmarking tool for manufacturer’s human resource

strategies and company management and includes data for direct labor and salary positions. 

This data collected from manufacturers across the region allows companies to determine 

where they stand relative to the marketplace in terms of wage and salary compensation as

well as gauging the competitiveness of their compensation. The survey was conducted during 

the Summer and early fall with nearly 100 employers in the southcentral Pennsylvania region. 

The wage and salary information compiled by the Manufacturers’ Association includes data on 

wages, salaries, labor market conditions, compensation practices and more. Manufacturers

interested in obtaining a copy of the 2023 Wage & Salary Report or to participate in next year’s 

survey can contact the Association at office@mascpa.org.

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The Manufacturers' Association is on a mission to ensure that our region’s manufacturing can 

compete at a global scale. We exist to ensure that critical knowledge is preserved, expanded, 

and shared with the manufacturing professionals of tomorrow. Since 1906, we have been a 

voice for hundreds of member organizations and partners in South Central PA and Northern

MD. We support manufacturers with the knowledge they need to operate, hire, and train 

smarter. Visit our website at mascpa.org

*Annual average salary data from PA Department of Community and Economic Development: 

https://dced.pa.gov/pennsylvanias-top-industries/advanced-manufacturing/