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Looking to reach decision makers in manufacturing? Researched by real humans, MNI's IndustrySelect database gives you live access to detailed information on 400,000+ U.S. industrial companies and one million executives. Try a free demo, loaded with 800 free leads or learn more here.
The U.S. manufacturing sector plays a central role in the economy, accounting for 20% of U.S. capital investment, 60% of the nation’s exports and 70% of business R&D. Overall, the sector’s market size, measured in terms of revenue is worth roughly $6 trillion, making it a major industry to do business with.
So which U.S. states are the biggest for manufacturing? This article will explore the nation’s top manufacturing states, measured by number of employees, based on MNI’s database of 400,000 U.S. manufacturing companies.
| State | Number of Manufacturing Jobs | Number of Manufacturing Companies |
|---|---|---|
| California | 1,541,050 | 24,304 |
| Texas | 1,088,582 | 17,637 |
| Ohio | 892,810 | 15,449 |
| Illinois | 772,082 | 15,768 |
| Pennsylvania | 756,747 | 14,484 |
| Michigan | 711,807 | 12,328 |
| New York | 671,826 | 13,981 |
| Indiana | 589,816 | 8,472 |
| Wisconsin | 586,044 | 9,754 |
| North Carolina | 578,890 | 9,084 |
1: California
With 24,304 manufacturers employing 1,541,000 manufacturing workers, California is the nation’s largest manufacturing state. A hotbed for innovation, electronics is California’s largest industrial sector, home to top companies such as Tesla, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and General Atomics. With its educated workforce and abundant capital, California continues to see growth in its electronics sector, while retaining strongholds in food processing and machinery.
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2. Texas
It comes as no surprise that the Lone Star State holds a top spot in manufacturing. With 17,637 manufacturers employing 1,088,582 workers, Texas is a major state for manufacturing, with strongholds in industrial machinery, fabricated metals, and food processing. The top manufacturing companies in Texas range from defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and L3Harris, to electronics giants such as Apple NXP Semiconductors. Houston ranks as the state’s largest industrial city and also ranks as the top city in the United States for number of manufacturing jobs.
For those looking to do business in Texas, the Texas Manufacturing Industry Database provides detailed profiles of Texas’ 20,000+ manufacturers and 77,000+ executives.
3. Ohio
Home to 15,449 manufacturers and 892,810 workers, Ohio is third in the United States for manufacturing. The Buckeye State is strong in industrial machinery, fabricated metals, and transportation equipment. In addition to the big Honda plant in Marysville, Ohio’s top manufacturing employers include GE Aviation Systems and Whirlpool. Access detailed profiles of Ohio’s 15,000+ manufacturing companies with MNI’s Ohio Manufacturing Industry Database.
4. Illinois
The Land of Lincoln is also the land of manufacturing, home to 15,768 manufacturers employing 772,082. Despite the state’s high business costs, Illinois remains a top destination for many companies seeking a skilled workforce and a focus on innovation. Over the past several years, the state seen some major EV enterprises setting up shop, including Rivian’s growing electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Normal and Canada-based Lion Electric’s massive new EV plant planned for Joliet. Home to some major names in the automotive, food processing, and industrial machinery sectors Illinois’ top manufacturers include Ford, Caterpillar, and Tyson Foods.
Detailed profiles of Illinois’ 15,000+ manufacturers and 50,000+ executives are available with MNI’s Illinois Manufacturing Industry Database.
5. Pennsylvania
Following closely on Illinois’ heels, Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the nation for its manufacturing workforce, home to 14,484 companies and 756,747 workers. The state is powerful in industrial machinery manufacturing and food processing, but also ranks high in the pharmaceutical and defense industries. Pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur, Boeing Defense, and Westinghouse Electric are among Pennsylvania’s largest manufacturing companies.
Looking to do business with Pennsylvania manufacturers? Access all of the state’s industrial companies with the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Industry Database.
6. Michigan
Ranking sixth in the nation for manufacturing jobs, the state of Michigan is home to 12,836 manufacturers employing 733,144. Michigan’s top manufacturing companies are representative of the state’s stronghold in the automotive industry, home to the Big Three automakers and a growing number of semiconductor and EV battery suppliers as the shift to electric vehicles accelerates.
Access manufacturers in this powerful state with the Michigan Manufacturing Industry Database.
7. New York
The state of New York ranks as the nation’s seventh-largest state in terms of manufacturing jobs, home to 13,996 manufacturing plants employing 678,345. Over half (56%) are located in the New York City metropolitan area, while Western New York accounts for another 25%. The state is strong in pharmaceutical manufacturing, printing and publishing, and electronics, with New York’s top manufacturing companies including big names such as Pfizer, IBM, Lockheed Martin and L3Harris Technologies.
Make New York your market with the New York Manufacturing Industry Database.
8. Wisconsin
With 9,731 manufacturers employing 590,394 Wisconsin ranks ninth in the nation for manufacturing employment. With a skilled workforce and strong focus on innovation, the state has drawn some major enterprises to its borders. Over the past year we saw Dawn Equipment, which makes conservation tillage implements, opening a second factory at the former Caterpillar plant in South Milwaukee, while Serta Simmons Bedding announced plans to expand manufacturing in Janesville. The state maintains a stronghold in industrial machinery and food processing, with 18% of its industrial workforce employed in industrial machinery and 13% in food processing.
Make Wisconsin your market with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Industry Database.
9. Indiana
With its business-friendly climate and solid infrastructure, Indiana is a major manufacturing state. Although the state accounts for the fewest number of manufacturing companies in our top 10 list with 8,472 companies, the state ranks eighth in the nation for jobs, home to 589,816 workers. Hoosier manufacturers export products around the world, with a quarter of the state’s factories distributing their products internationally. Strong in the automotive, industrial machinery, and pharmaceutical industries, Eli Lily & Co., Toyota, and Subaru, are among Indiana’s largest manufacturing companies.
Access 8,400+ Hoosier manufacturers and 25,000+ executives with the Indiana Manufacturing Industry Database.
10. North Carolina
Rounding out our list of top 10 manufacturing states in the U.S. is North Carolina, with 9,084 manufacturing companies employing 578,890. The state boasts a skilled labor force and abundance of shovel ready sites, and the state’s top manufacturing companies reflect its strength in everything from food processing and pharmaceuticals to the automotive industry. Over the past few years, North Carolina has won some major new enterprises, including EV maker VinFast, which chose North Carolina for its first U.S. automotive facility, FUJIFULM’s new massive $2 billion large-scale cell culture manufacturing plant, and Toyota’s major battery manufacturing facility planned for the Greensboro-Randolph area.
Access detailed profiles of manufacturers in the state with the North Carolina Manufacturing Industry Database.
Data for the top ten manufacturing states in the U.S. was collected by MNI, compiler and publisher of industrial data since 1912. MNI’s 80-person research team pinpoints every industrial establishment in the U.S. Each company is contacted multiple times annually to ensure its information remains up-to-date and complete. See a sample profile or explore this infographic on how we collect our data. MNI is the nation’s top source of industrial information, providing comprehensive data for sales, marketing, prospecting, purchasing and sourcing.
Further Reading: Top 10 Manufacturing Cities in the U.S.