With tariffs bearing down on trade relations and imports, all eyes are on American manufacturing these days. Economic pundits have opinions about how that will or won’t work out, but those who are actively involved in manufacturing have opinions, too. According to a 2025 Career Advancement Survey, the vast majority believe in the manufacturing industries as a whole.
The joint survey is the product of Xometry, Thomas and the Women in Manufacturing Association, which have collaborated annually, over the course of the last five years, focusing on career advancement and women in the manufacturing sector. Overall, the responses were generally positive and often close between genders—except for two areas.
The Survey Says
Based on more than 1,000 “qualified responses,” survey takers found that 80% of women and 81% of men currently involved in the field “are likely or very likely to recommend a career in manufacturing.” For women, that number remains consistent over the last two years, while it’s an increase for men over last year, when only 74% would have recommended a career in the field.
The number of women who wouldn’t recommend the manufacturing industry to others has declined, from 8% in 2023 to 3% this year, which organizers say shows “that women are feeling more positively or neutral toward manufacturing careers over time.”
Additionally, the results show that 78% of women believe significant progress has been made for women in manufacturing in the past five years and are optimistic about the progress made.
Researchers also asked about labor shortages, which have been a recurring issue for several years, finding that “79% of companies report experiencing labor shortages.” Whether that decrease from last year’s 83% is due to improved conditions or “increased automation, reshoring efforts, or other factors impacting the labor market,” is unclear. Whatever the reason, survey takers point out that the decreasing labor shortage points to a “potential easing of the most severe shortages.”
In what may or may not be a connection, the majority of both men (87%) and women (83%) surveyed indicated that they and their contributions are valued by their employers.
Mind the Gap
The gender gap in the manufacturing sector is both closing and widening at the same time. When asked if they agree or disagree with the statement that, “Women have made significant progress in the manufacturing industry over the last five years,” 78% of women strongly agree. Survey analysts report that the response more than doubles the number of “strongly agree” responses from five years ago. Technically, more than half the men surveyed responded the same way, with 68% strongly agreeing with the statement, but it’s noted in the survey results that this is down from 2024, when 82% of men strongly agreed with the statement.
Women are also still “falling into” the industry, more so than men (74% to 49%), marking an inverse in responses since 2023; more women and fewer men are finding their way to the industry unintentionally than either group did two years ago. Ultimately, survey takers point out, “the majority of manufacturing workers (70%) did not actively seek a career in the field.” Generally, those who do find their way to the industry are primarily getting there through job postings, referrals, and recruitment, though STEM programs (11%) and apprenticeships/internships (6%) are reputable points of entry for women, while “family business responsibility” plays a role for 14% of men.
Everyone Benefits
Survey participants were also asked to select which employee benefits they feel are most important. Topping the list are health insurance (83%) and flexible work schedules (76%), though retirement plans by way of a 401k match system came in a close third, with 75% of the votes. Professional development programs (71%) and remote work options (61%) landed in the middle of the pack, followed by paid family medical leave (44%), tuition reimbursement and paid parental leave (both 36%). On-site childcare notched only 12%, but survey takers point out that such options, and things like tuition reimbursement, “may be less popular due to limited applicability.”
