Top 10 Manufacturing States in the U.S. in 2026
Where are most American manufacturing jobs located? Despite decades of changes in global production, the United States still has major manufacturing centers stretching from California and Texas to the industrial Midwest.
According to the latest state-level employment figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the states with the largest manufacturing workforces in 2026. The ranking uses seasonally adjusted manufacturing payroll employment for July 2026, the latest state data currently available.
| Rank | State | Manufacturing Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 1,201,900 |
| 2 | Texas | 979,700 |
| 3 | Ohio | 688,700 |
| 4 | Michigan | 585,500 |
| 5 | Illinois | 571,000 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 558,100 |
| 7 | Indiana | 512,000 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 458,400 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 449,300 |
| 10 | Florida | 430,400 |
California remains No. 1
California is the largest manufacturing state by employment, with approximately 1.2 million factory jobs. Its manufacturing economy extends well beyond Silicon Valley and includes aerospace, electronics, food processing, medical technology and advanced manufacturing.
Texas ranks second with nearly 980,000 manufacturing jobs. Its enormous industrial base includes energy equipment, chemicals, aerospace, machinery, electronics and semiconductor production.
The Midwest is still America's manufacturing heartland
Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin all appear in the top 10.
Together, these states demonstrate that the Midwest remains central to American manufacturing, particularly in automobiles, transportation equipment, machinery, metals and industrial supply chains.
Ohio ranks third with approximately 688,700 manufacturing jobs, followed by Michigan with 585,500 and Illinois with 571,000.
Indiana is also notable. With roughly 512,000 factory jobs, manufacturing represents an unusually important share of its overall employment base.
The South keeps gaining industrial importance
North Carolina ranks ninth with about 449,300 manufacturing workers, while Florida has moved into the top 10 with approximately 430,400 jobs.
Georgia is close behind at roughly 426,300 manufacturing employees, meaning future changes could alter the lower positions in the ranking.
The South has become increasingly important for automotive manufacturing, aerospace, batteries, semiconductors and other advanced industries as companies invest in new U.S. production capacity.
What is the best state for manufacturing?
There is no single answer. California has the most manufacturing employees, Texas combines manufacturing with enormous energy and logistics infrastructure, while Midwestern states offer deeply established industrial supply chains.
The 2026 numbers show one thing clearly: American manufacturing is not concentrated in one region. Its largest hubs now extend across the West Coast, South, Midwest and Northeast.
California is the largest U.S. manufacturing state by employment in 2026 with about 1.20 million jobs, followed by Texas with about 980,000 and Ohio with nearly 689,000, according to July 2026 BLS payroll data.