Manufacturing has been an integral part of Connecticut’s economy for well over 200 years and it is a critical part of our future, providing well-paying career opportunities to our citizens with a wide spectrum of educational backgrounds—from high school graduates to PhDs.
Today, manufacturing is one of the top four employment sectors in Connecticut and each manufacturing job supports more than three other jobs, according to most studies. Manufacturing wages are also significantly above the state average, and the vast majority of Connecticut manufacturing jobs provide healthcare and additional benefits.
When one considers the pay and benefits, the variety of available occupations, and the advancement opportunities presented to new workforce entrants as our older workers retire, it underscores the adage that, “Manufacturing provides more than good jobs, manufacturing provides great career opportunities.”
Read the entire CT Manufacturing Report, produced by CBIA and affiliates CONNSTEP and ReadyCT.
An Overview of CT Manufacturing
68%
of Companies have fewer than 50 employees
4548
total Companies in CT
$15B
annual wages paid
$95470K
average wages
157800
manufacturing employees
5
additional jobs created for every manufacturing job
Connecticut was a leader in manufacturing throughout the 19th and early 20th century, producing everything from guns and clocks to auto parts and textiles. The state’s 4,548 manufacturers and world-class workforce fully showcase that legacy today. with aerospace and transportation equipment remaining the largest manufacturing subsector in Connecticut.
As of August 2024, Connecticut manufacturers employed 157,800 people representing 10.7% of the state’s total private sector workforce.
Workforce & Hiring
The need to grow Connecticut’s manufacturing workforce cannot be understated, and neither can the barriers hampering hiring efforts across the state.
Top of mind for many manufacturers is the sector’s aging workforce. With many retirements looming, businesses are struggling to find qualified replacements and address lost institutional knowledge and experience. The workforce challenge is further compounded by the state’s high cost of living, limited housing, and a lack of affordable childcare options. Executives cite lack of work ethic (24%), salary expectations that exceed budget constraints (22%), competition from other employers offering higher wages (15%), and the state’s high cost of living (7%) as the biggest recruiting challenges.
To help address the workforce issue, the Manufacturing Innovation Fund board allocated $2.27 million over two years to support the expansion of K-12 FIRST robotics programs across the state under the direction of ReadyCT in partnership with NE FIRST.
80%
of manufacturers have difficulty finding and/or retaining employees
30%
say job applicants do not possess the required skills
41%
of manufacturers seek for applicants with a high school or GED equivalent diploma
Information on this page was excerpted from the 2024 Connecticut Manufacturing Report, produced by CBIA and affiliates CONNSTEP and ReadyCT – made possible through the generous support of RSM.
The information and data shared in this report came from multiple sources, including a comprehensive June-July CBIA survey of manufacturers, numerous state and federal agencies, and interviews with public and private manufacturing leaders.