Report: 50% of manufacturers plan to increase their overall employment in the next 12 months 

The Manufacturers’ Association has released the results of its 2023 Annual Manufacturing Wage & Salary report. The data was compiled in the summer and fall of 2023 when the Manufacturers’ Association surveyed 100 employers in the southcentral Pennsylvania region. The organization compiled data on wages, salaries, labor market conditions, compensation practices and more. The report revealed a host of interesting findings, especially concerning the continued need for skilled workers to meet growing demands and replace retiring workers. Key finding of the survey include:

• 50% of manufacturers plant to increase employment over the next year, down from 64% in 2022 
• 84% of respondents are having trouble filling open positions with qualified workers 
• 52% of those surveyed have changed recruiting practices 
• Companies are struggling most to hire machinists, toolmakers, and maintenance workers 
• Turnover rates for hourly workers decreased 2% from 2022 levels