Manufacturing/Production Background
Potential Job Roles and Salaries
What kind of roles would I be suitable for based on my manufacturing/production background?
Depending on your current work experience, here are some of the typical roles you could retrain into and the expected salaries.
Packaging Operator
Responsible for taking the finished product of a manufacturing process and ensuring that it is packaged in line with company and industry standards, making it ready for sale or distribution.
Some companies might call this role: Packaging Technician

- Starting Salary: €28,000 to €32,000
- After 2 Years: €32,000 to €38,000
- After 5 Years: €38,000 to €42,000

- Starting Salary: $24,728
- After 2 Years: $30,910
- After 5 Years: $37,092
Process Technician
Operates equipment, monitors processes and documents results in strict adherence to protocols. They are involved in all stages of the manufacturing process and in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, their role often occurs within a clean-room environment.
Some companies might call this role: Chemical Process Technician, BioProcess Technician, Manufacturing Technician, Manufacturing Operator, Production Technician, Cleanroom Operator.

- Starting Salary: €30,000 to €35,000
- After 2 Years: €35,000 to €40,000
- After 5 Years: €40,000 to €50,000

- Starting Salary: $37,480
- After 2 Years: $46,850
- After 5 Years: $56,220
Production Supervisor
Directly responsible for overseeing and organising the equipment, staff and processes on a production floor. They will oversee scheduling and routine production activities as well as acting as first-line troubleshooting should problems arise.
Some companies might call this role: Process Supervisor, Manufacturing Supervisor

- Starting Salary: $44,640
- After 2 Years: $55,800
- After 5 Years: $66,960

- Average US Salary: $55,800
What Courses do I Need to Take?
What Courses do I Need to Take to Successfully Retrain for a Manufacturing/Production Role in this Sector?
You would need to take between 1 to 2 courses depending on your background.
If you have a technical qualification in engineering or science/laboratory or 2 to 3+ years factory floor experience, you would need to take our 30-Week Certificate in eBioPharmaChem.
This 30-week academically accredited Certificate will help you find an operator/technician role within the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device manufacturing industry.
Note: If you don’t have the relevant qualifications or factory floor experience, you will need start with our Foundation Course to familiarise yourself with working in a GMP regulated manufacturing environment and meet the minimum academic entry requirements for the Certificate in eBioPharmaChem.
Take this intro course and learn how safe medicines and medical devices are manufactured in a regulated GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) environment.
What Courses do I Need to Take?
What Courses do I Need to Take to Successfully Retrain for a Manufacturing/Production Role in this Sector?
You would need to take between 1 to 2 courses depending on your background.
If you have a technical qualification in engineering or science/laboratory or 2 to 3+ years factory floor experience, you would need to take our 50-Week Certificate in e-BioPharma Validation.
This 12-Month academically accredited Certificate will prepare you for a validation role within the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device manufacturing industry.
Note: If you don’t have the relevant qualifications or factory floor experience, you will need start with our Foundation Course to familiarise yourself with working in a GMP regulated manufacturing environment and meet the minimum academic entry requirements for the Certificate in eBioPharmaChem.
Take this intro course and learn how safe medicines and medical devices are manufactured in a regulated GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) environment.
Available Jobs
Pennsylvania’s Pharma Jobs Board
Check out Pennsylvania’s largest jobs board focused exclusively on the pharmaceutical and medical device sector and see what jobs are available.
Check now for open positions. USA – Pennsylvania Jobs Board
Irish Pharma Jobs Board
Check out the Irelands largest jobs board focused exclusively on the pharmaceutical and medical device sector and see what jobs are available.
Check now for open positions. Irish Pharma Jobs Board
UK Pharma Jobs Board
Check out the UK’s largest jobs board focused exclusively on the pharmaceutical and medical device sector and see what jobs are available.
Check now for open positions. UK Pharma Jobs Board
References
- Sigmar Recruitment
https://oliver-dev.s3.amazonaws.com/2017/11/28/09/21/10/213/Sigmar - Morgan McKinley 2016 Engineering Salary & Benefits Guide
https://www.morganmckinley.ie/article/2016-engineering-salary-benefits-guide
- Morgan McKinley 2016 Supply Chain Salary & Benefits Guide
https://www.morganmckinley.ie/article/supply-chain-2016-salary-survey-benefits-guide - Morgan McKinley 2016 Science Salary & Benefits Guide
https://www.morganmckinley.ie/article/2016-science-salary-benefits-guide - Brightwater Salary Survey
https://www.brightwater.ie/surveys/salary-survey
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm#15-0000 - Career Builder
https://www.careerbuilder.com/insights
Salaries calculated as 80%, 100% and 120% of BLS averages.