High Tech vs. Low Tech Manufacturing Jobs: What To Look For

As technology is rapidly transforming, so are manufacturers, equipment and machine operator jobs.
 
Across the board, there is still a wide variety of manufacturing jobs that range from high tech to low tech. In this blog post, we discuss the differences in job descriptions, job satisfaction, and pay when comparing high tech vs. low tech.
 
Should you target high tech or low tech manufacturing jobs?
 
Here is where to start:
 
Pay Difference: Wages in manufacturing have a large variety. While there isn’t a hard and fast rule for high tech vs. low tech production operator jobs, you can expect to see an average of about $1-$3/hour difference with high tech jobs generally paying higher than low tech jobs. For more information on manufacturing wages in the Eau Claire area, view our blog post.
 
Job Satisfaction: When it comes to job satisfaction, every person and their preferences are going to be different. Some people prefer to have a simple job that doesn’t require a lot of thinking out of routine tasks and they tend to prefer low tech jobs. Others want to be challenged, learn new skills, and engage in regular problem-solving. For those people, high tech jobs are a faster paced and more engaging option.
 
Training & Advancement: If you’re looking for an employer to invest in you, train you, and teach you new skills that set you up for career advancement and higher marketability, high tech jobs will be a better fit for you. By nature, high tech jobs require more training. Some positions may require technical degrees but others are willing to offer several weeks of on-the-job training to get you up to speed. Be sure to ask your potential employer if this training is paid at the full compensation rate. While Drylock offers full-pay training, not everyone does.
 
Career Growth Opportunities: While the simplicity of low tech jobs is attractive to some people, these jobs may cause some employees to get left behind in manufacturing jobs. When looking for a new job or if your employer has layoffs, future employers will look at your job experience and skills you’ve learned in previous roles. If you don’t have high tech experience, it may be hard to make yourself marketable and catch up to the faster moving high tech manufacturing positions.
 
Bottom Line: Find a job that fits your lifestyle and develops work skills and life skills that help you achieve your goals. In job interviews, ask to take a facility tour. Equipment and technology play a big role in job satisfaction, wages, and career opportunities.