Washington, D.C. – The manufacturing sector added 18,000 jobs in May, according to new data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Most of those gains came in fabricated metal products, which added 7,000 of those jobs.
Manufacturing is now down just 17,000 jobs from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020.
Alliance for American Manufacturing President Scott Paul said:
“American manufacturing is contributing to our economic recovery in a significant way, and with the right public policies, it can do even more. That starts with making our supply chains more secure by bringing them home. Let’s pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act and ensure we keep trade enforcement measures like tariffs in place to strengthen the foundation that’s been built.
“There’s never been a better time to look for a manufacturing job. More than 900,000 manufacturing jobs are available, according to the latest BLS JOLTS report. Average factory jobs pay 13.9% more in wages and benefits compared to service industry jobs, and can play a big role in rebuilding the middle class. We’re at a unique moment to truly grow American manufacturing and build a stronger, more secure future — we must rise to the occasion.”
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