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Profession JRI–64 / Admin

Will AI replace industrial production managers?

Industrial production managers plan, direct, and coordinate manufacturing operations to meet cost, quality, and quantity goals. Their work involves balancing automated systems with human oversight—for instance, stopping production for defects, reviewing quality plans, and evaluating new testing technologies.

The risk spectrum — where Industrial Production Manager sits
Industrial Production Manager vs the 82 other jobs
Risk rank64 / 83
Automation timeline5-10 years
Median salary$126,060
Projected growth+1.9% (2024–34)
01 / Your plan

The skills that keep you relevant.

Picked to match what this role actually asks for — refreshed weekly, never by what a platform pays.

What you'll learn
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Updated Aug 10, 2026

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02 / Job market

Official outlook: still growing.

Within the 83 professions
Salary$126,060
$31k$171k
Growth+1.9% (2024–34)
-25.9%33.5%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a +1.9% change in employment for this occupation between 2024 and 2034, from a current base of 246,250 people employed earning a median of $126,060 a year.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–34 & OEWS May 2025.

AI adoption in postings →

03 / Real salaries

Industrial Production Manager salaries by city

Median pay from real records (H-1B filings and tech job postings), across the cities with most observations.

Cupertino$184,300Austin$151,000San Diego$171,000Fremont$160,000Palo Alto$173,874Sunnyvale$186,150

Range shows p25–p75; the dot is the median. Sources carry a documented bias — see the full salary page.

See real salaries →

04 / How to enter

How to become an industrial production manager.

Typical preparation

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Job training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Getting in is one thing — the day-to-day runs on a specific set of tools and skills:

Skills employers ask for

From real job postings for this role — click to explore who asks for them.

Source: O*NET 30.0 database (CC BY 4.0).

07 / FAQ

What people ask.

01Will AI replace industrial production managers?
Industrial Production Managers face a medium automation risk, scoring 42 on the index. Over a 5-10 year window, automated tools will handle budgeting and equipment selection, but human judgment remains essential for defect decisions and staff coordination.
02How quickly could automation affect Industrial Production Managers?
Automation changes are expected within 5-10 years. The occupation's risk stands at 42, and 246250 people currently hold the title. Budget and equipment tasks will increasingly rely on automated tools.
03What skills keep Industrial Production Managers relevant?
High-demand skill needs include Data-Driven Decision Making; medium-demand needs include Automation System Oversight and Advanced Statistical Analysis. Speaking, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension are listed as high-demand skills for entering the occupation.
04How does someone become an Industrial Production Manager?
A four-year bachelor's degree is typical, though some managers reach the role without one. The occupation's skill profile highlights Speaking and Critical Thinking as high-demand requirements for getting started.
05What related roles could Industrial Production Managers pivot to?
Production Supervisors, Compliance Officers, and Software Engineers appear as related alternatives. Their risk scores are 36, 40, and 30 respectively, compared to the occupation's 42.
06Is starting as an Industrial Production Manager a good career choice for 2026?
For a 2026 start, the role shows medium automation risk at 42, with median pay at 126060. The projected growth figure is +1.9% for 2024–34, and 246250 people are currently employed in the occupation.
07What tools do Industrial Production Managers use?
Common tools include Microsoft Access, SAP software, Autodesk AutoCAD, Adobe After Effects, Apache Kafka, and Adobe Acrobat. Day-to-day work also involves developing budgets or approving expenditures for supplies, materials, or human resources.