The Complete Guide to Manufacturing Salary Benchmarks in Texas: What to Pay in 2025

Competitive compensation is essential for attracting and retaining manufacturing talent in Texas. But determining the right salary can be challenging—pay too little and you'll struggle to attract candidates; pay too much and you'll hurt your bottom line. Understanding current salary benchmarks helps you make informed compensation decisions.

If you're a manufacturing company in Texas, staying current with salary trends is critical for your recruitment success. Here's your complete guide to manufacturing salary benchmarks in Texas for 2025.

Why Salary Benchmarks Matter

Salary benchmarks provide critical information that directly impacts your ability to attract top talent and retain your best employees. When you pay at or above market rates, you stand out in a tight labor market. Underpaying, on the other hand, leads to turnover and increased recruitment costs that often exceed what you would have paid in competitive compensation.

Understanding market rates also helps with budget planning. When you know what positions cost in your market, you can budget more accurately for recruitment and retention. And when it comes time to negotiate with candidates, having benchmark data strengthens your position and helps you make competitive offers that candidates accept.

According to a recent Manufacturing Compensation Study, companies that pay at or above market rates have 30% lower turnover and fill positions 40% faster than those paying below market. The investment in competitive compensation pays dividends in reduced recruitment costs and improved retention.

Factors Affecting Manufacturing Salaries in Texas

Several interconnected factors influence manufacturing salaries across Texas. Understanding these factors helps you make sense of the numbers and adjust benchmarks for your specific situation.

Geographic location plays a significant role. The DFW Metroplex typically offers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and intense competition for talent. Houston follows closely, with particularly competitive salaries in energy and petrochemical manufacturing. Austin commands premium salaries for tech-driven manufacturing, while San Antonio offers more moderate salaries with a lower cost of living. Rural areas generally have lower base salaries but often provide better cost-of-living ratios that make the total compensation competitive.

Industry sector also matters significantly. Aerospace and defense manufacturing pays premium salaries for precision work. Semiconductors and electronics manufacturing sees high demand driving competitive compensation. Automotive manufacturing offers competitive salaries with good benefits, while food processing provides moderate salaries with stability. General manufacturing varies widely based on company size and technological sophistication.

Company size influences compensation structures. Large corporations typically offer higher base salaries and comprehensive benefits packages. Mid-size companies often provide competitive salaries with more flexibility in how they structure compensation. Small manufacturers may offer lower base salaries but frequently provide more growth opportunities and faster advancement paths.

Skill level and experience create natural salary tiers. Entry-level positions start lower but offer growth potential. Skilled technicians command premiums for specialized skills and certifications. Supervisors and team leads receive management premiums, while engineers earn the highest salaries for technical expertise.

Manufacturing Salary Benchmarks by Role

Let's break down specific salary ranges for different manufacturing roles in Texas. These numbers reflect 2025 market conditions and should be adjusted based on your specific location, industry, and company size.

Production Workers

For production workers, entry-level positions typically range from $35,000 to $45,000 annually, which translates to roughly $17 to $22 per hour. These roles usually require a high school diploma, basic math skills, and reliability. The good news is that these positions offer clear advancement potential with training and experience.

Experienced production workers with two or more years of experience can expect salaries ranging from $42,000 to $55,000 annually, or $20 to $26 per hour. These workers have proven reliability and often have cross-training in multiple areas. Shift differentials and overtime opportunities can significantly increase total compensation.

Skilled Technicians

Skilled technicians represent a significant step up in compensation. CNC machinists typically earn between $50,000 and $70,000 annually, with hourly rates ranging from $24 to $34. These positions require technical training and CNC programming skills, with precision work being essential. NIMS certifications can add $5,000 to $10,000 to base salary, making certification support a valuable investment.

Maintenance technicians earn similar ranges, typically $52,000 to $75,000 annually, with hourly rates of $25 to $36. These roles require strong electrical and mechanical skills along with troubleshooting ability. Specializations in PLC programming or robotics maintenance command premium rates.

Quality control inspectors typically earn $45,000 to $65,000 annually, with hourly rates of $22 to $31. These positions require attention to detail and quality systems knowledge. ASQ certifications are particularly valuable in this field.

Welding specialists can earn $48,000 to $72,000 annually, with hourly rates ranging from $23 to $35. Welding certifications are essential, and experience with various processes increases value. Specializations in TIG, MIG, or pipe welding command higher rates.

Supervisory Roles

Supervisory roles come with management premiums. Production supervisors typically earn $60,000 to $85,000 annually, with additional compensation through performance bonuses and profit-sharing. These roles require leadership experience and manufacturing knowledge, with clear paths to plant management positions.

Team leads serve as bridges between workers and management, typically earning $55,000 to $75,000 annually. These positions require both technical expertise and leadership ability.

Engineering Roles

Engineering roles command the highest salaries. Manufacturing engineers typically earn $70,000 to $100,000 or more annually, with senior engineers reaching $100,000 to $130,000 plus. These positions require engineering degrees and process optimization skills. Specializations in lean manufacturing, automation, or quality engineering add value.

Process engineers earn similar ranges, typically $72,000 to $105,000 annually, with their value coming from direct impact on efficiency and quality. Quality engineers typically earn $68,000 to $95,000, with Six Sigma and ASQ certifications being particularly valuable.

Benefits and Total Compensation

Base salary tells only part of the compensation story. Total compensation includes benefits that can add 25% to 40% to the base salary value.

Standard benefits include health insurance, which typically provides $6,000 to $12,000 in annual value. Dental and vision coverage adds another $1,500 to $3,000. Retirement plans with 401k matching typically contribute 3% to 6% of salary. Paid time off of 10 to 20 days plus holidays provides significant value, and life and disability insurance typically adds $1,000 to $2,000 annually.

Additional compensation opportunities can substantially increase total earnings. Overtime opportunities can add 20% to 40% to base salary for workers willing to work extra hours. Performance bonuses typically range from 5% to 15% of salary for top performers. Profit sharing varies by company performance but can be substantial. Shift differentials of $1 to $3 per hour for nights and weekends add up over time, and referral bonuses of $500 to $2,000 reward employees who help bring in new talent.

When evaluating total compensation, entry-level positions typically see total compensation 20% to 30% above base salary. Skilled positions see 25% to 35% above base, supervisory roles see 30% to 40% above base, and engineering roles see 25% to 35% above base salary.

Regional Salary Variations

DFW Metroplex

• Premium: 10-15% above state average
• Cost of Living: Higher housing costs
• Competition: Intense competition for talent
• Industries: Aerospace, electronics, diverse manufacturing

Houston Area

• Premium: 8-12% above state average
• Industries: Energy, petrochemicals, industrial manufacturing
• Benefits: Often include additional perks for shift work

Austin Area

• Premium: 12-18% above state average
• Industries: Technology manufacturing, semiconductors
• Competition: Tech companies compete for same talent pool

San Antonio

• At or Slightly Above: State average
• Cost of Living: More affordable than major metros
• Industries: Automotive, aerospace, food processing

Rural Areas

• Below Average: 5-10% below state average
• Cost of Living: Significantly lower
• Trade-off: Lower salaries but better quality of life

How to Use Salary Benchmarks

For Employers

1. Research Your Market: Use multiple sources for comprehensive data
2. Consider Total Compensation: Don't just focus on base salary
3. Adjust for Your Situation: Factor in company size, location, industry
4. Stay Competitive: Pay at or above market for critical roles
5. Review Regularly: Update compensation annually

For Job Seekers

1. Know Your Worth: Research market rates for your skills and experience
2. Consider Total Package: Evaluate benefits and opportunities
3. Factor in Location: Adjust expectations for cost of living
4. Negotiate Confidently: Use benchmark data to support your requests
5. Consider Growth: Look at advancement potential, not just starting salary

Staying Competitive in 2025

To attract and retain top talent:

1. Pay at Market or Above

• Critical roles: Pay at 75th percentile or above
• Standard roles: Pay at 50th percentile or above
• Entry-level: Competitive with market but focus on growth

2. Offer Comprehensive Benefits

• Health insurance is now expected, not optional
• Retirement plans with matching are highly valued
• Paid time off and holidays matter to workers
• Professional development support attracts ambitious candidates

3. Highlight Growth Opportunities

• Clear advancement paths with salary increases
• Training and certification support
• Internal promotion opportunities
• Skill development programs

4. Create a Positive Work Environment

• Competitive compensation is essential but not everything
• Recognition and appreciation matter
• Work-life balance initiatives
• Modern facilities and equipment

The Role of Recruitment Partners

Specialized manufacturing recruiters understand salary trends and can help:

• Market intelligence: Current salary data and trends
• Negotiation support: Help structure competitive offers
• Candidate expectations: Understanding what candidates want
• Total compensation: Evaluating complete packages

At The Hammitt Group, we stay current with Texas manufacturing salary trends. We help companies structure competitive compensation packages and help candidates understand their market value.

Taking Action

Whether you're an employer or job seeker:

1. Research current benchmarks for your role and location
2. Consider total compensation, not just base salary
3. Stay current with annual salary reviews
4. Work with specialists who understand the market
5. Be competitive to attract and retain top talent

Ready to Navigate Salary Benchmarks?

Understanding manufacturing salary benchmarks in Texas helps you make informed compensation decisions. Whether you're setting salaries or evaluating offers, current market data is essential.

The Hammitt Group helps both employers and job seekers navigate compensation. We understand current salary trends and can help you structure competitive packages or evaluate opportunities.

Contact us today:

• Phone: (254) 479-7482
• Website: thehammittgroup.com
• Employers: Let's discuss competitive compensation strategies
• Job Seekers: Explore opportunities with competitive compensation

Don't let compensation challenges hold back your success. Take action today and ensure you're competitive in the Texas manufacturing market.