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From tech and tools to food and fashion, manufacturing careers power the products we use every day. If you like creating, building, or working with machines, this industry could be your perfect match.
All data shown on this page reflects the six-county Heart of Texas region: Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan counties.
About Manufacturing
Industry Overview
Average Industry Wage
Projected Growth
Current Industry Size
Targeted Occupations
Manufacturing Industry
What to Know
Howmet Aerospace
Howmet’s Waco plant produces aerospace components and forged wheels, with jobs in machining, inspection, and production support.
Cargill
Cargill has operated in Waco since 1965, processing protein products and employing workers in production, maintenance, and food safety.
SpaceX
SpaceX’s McGregor facility tests and develops rocket engines and parts for space missions. Local roles include technical operations, testing, and hands-on manufacturing.
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola’s Waco facility bottles and distributes beverages across the region. Jobs include machine operation, warehousing, and delivery.
AbbVie
AbbVie manufactures pharmaceuticals in Waco, including eye drops and topical products, with careers in production, packaging, and lab analysis.
Land O’Lakes
Land O’Lakes produces animal feed and ag products in McGregor, with roles in manufacturing, quality control, and logistics.
Local employers across the Heart of Texas are actively hiring for manufacturing roles — offering great pay, career stability, and room to grow. If you’ve got the skills, they’ve got the opportunities. Check out the top companies in the region looking for skilled manufacturers like you!
Assemblers & Fabricators
Put together parts and products using tools and machines—from electronics to metal parts—with a focus on precision and teamwork.
Helpers—Production Workers
Support machine operators and technicians by preparing materials, cleaning equipment, and handling basic tasks that keep production going.
Laborers & Freight, Stock, & Material Movers
Move raw materials, supplies, and finished products around factories and warehouses—a key role in keeping operations flowing.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, & Brazers
Use heat and tools to join or cut metal parts—an in-demand skill that helps build everything from buildings to cars.
First-Line Supervisors of Production & Operating Workers
Lead and coordinate teams on the production floor, making sure work is done safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, & Weighers
Check products for quality, test materials, and make sure everything meets standards before it leaves the factory.
From welders and machinists to engineers and supervisors, manufacturing offers a wide range of in-demand careers. These jobs are essential to keeping production lines running and innovation moving forward. Explore our list of top jobs in manufacturing, and see where you can roll up your sleeves to make a difference!
Communications
Communicate clearly with team members, report issues, read and follow instructions, and share updates to keep production running.
Detail Oriented
Pay close attention to quality, check for accuracy, and catch small issues before they become big problems.
Management
Lead teams, organize tasks, and manage time and resources to keep projects on track and meet production goals.
Operations
Understand how machines, tools, and production systems work to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently.
Sales
Support product sales by understanding customer needs, showcasing product benefits, and helping companies grow their business.
Troubleshooting (Problem Solving)
Identify issues, think through solutions, and fix problems quickly to keep production running and prevent downtime.
Manufacturing careers are built on practical, hands-on skills — from precision and problem-solving to working with tools, machines, and measurements. Check out the top skills Heart of Texas employers look for to keep production moving and quality high!
Fabricated Structural Metal Manufacturing
Make metal frames and structures used in buildings, bridges, and industrial equipment — the backbone of construction and engineering.
Construction Machinery Manufacturing
Build the powerful machines—like bulldozers and backhoes—that keep construction sites moving and projects on schedule.
Guided Missile & Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Help build advanced aerospace technology, including rockets, satellites, and defense systems, in one of the most high-tech areas of manufacturing.
Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing
Produce medicines and treatments in clean, high-precision environments that support health and well-being around the world.
Soft Drink Manufacturing
Create and bottle popular beverages through automated production lines, keeping shelves stocked with sodas and flavored drinks.
Food Manufacturing
Make snacks, sauces, and specialty food products in busy kitchens and packaging areas that keep your favorite foods in stores.
Manufacturing happens in all kinds of places — from small machine shops to high-tech factories. Whether you’re making metal parts, food products, or electronics, the workplace is always active and full of purpose. This list gives you a look at the most common work settings in manufacturing in the Heart of Texas. See if anything sounds like a fit for you!
Opportunities & Outlook
Your Future in Manufacturing
Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the Heart of Texas economy and is growing—fast. With over 19,000 people already working in the industry and more than 500 local employers, opportunities are everywhere. Each month brings over 200 hundred new job postings, and the industry is projected to grow by 12% by 2032.
Whether you’re interested in hands-on work, high-tech tools, or leading a team, manufacturing offers diverse pathways to success, strong wages, job stability, and real chances to grow your career right here at home.
Projected Growth
Current Industry Size
Regional Employers
Monthly Job Postings
Industry Careers
Explore Manufacturing Careers
These careers are targeted occupations in the Heart of Texas region—meaning they’re in high demand, offer competitive wages, and provide strong opportunities for long-term growth. Explore other in-demand roles within the manufacturing industry to find the right fit for you.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
$13.12
$27,296
6%
Postsecondary nondegree award
TSTC Waco Campus
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging and Systems Assemblers
Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Postsecondary nondegree award
TSTC Waco Campus
Avionics Technicians
Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Bachelor’s degree
TSTC Waco Campus
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Manufacturing, Energy
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Associate degree
TSTC Waco Campus
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Manufacturing, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
$19.28
$40,103
7%
High school diploma or equivalent
TSTC Waco Campus
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Manufacturing, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
$19.26
$40,057
18.7%
High school diploma or equivalent
TSTC Waco Campus, Hill College
Machinists
Manufacturing, Manufacturing
$14.31
$29,774
10.6%
High school diploma or equivalent
TSTC Waco Campus
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Manufacturing, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
$16.23
$33,755
12.9%
High school diploma or equivalent
Hill College, Navarro College, TSTC Waco Campus