Sacramento, Calif. – The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) kicked off the start of a month-long celebration to recognize California’s 30,000 manufacturers. October is known as Manufacturing Month, with the first Friday of October, October 4, 2024, named as MFG Day nationwide by The Manufacturing Institute.

Manufacturing is one of California’s largest industry sectors, accounting for 11.8% of the state’s GDP. The CMTA works to promote the reality of modern manufacturing in California, which employs 1.3 million people.

“Manufacturing is growing: The jobs available in the industry are highly skilled, and highly technical as the goods produced adapt to our new world, but we are facing a workforce crisis,” said Lance Hastings, CMTA’s CEO & President. “This month is a way to highlight the clean, high-paying jobs available in manufacturing and shine a spotlight on the opportunities for the next generation of makers.”

Manufacturing is not only good for the economy, but the California Assembly’s Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy has labeled it a “gold standard” for jobs, “because of the higher wages paid to workers, the inclusion of small businesses within its extended supply chains, and the high multiplier effect on their local communities and across the state.” The average annual salary for a manufacturing worker in the state is $143,515. The Milken Institute estimates that for every job created in manufacturing, 2.5 jobs are created in other sectors.

It is imperative to highlight manufacturers of all sizes during the month of October. Our small and medium-sized makers account for a large portion of the industry, with 64% of the state’s manufacturers having 25 employees or fewer.

Throughout the month of October, manufacturers across California and the country celebrate the industry that is vital to our economy and communities. The CMTA will celebrate Manufacturing Month at its 2nd Annual MakingCA Conference & “Coolest Thing Made in California” Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 18, 2024.

To raise up the next generation of manufacturers, the CMTA hosts an Annual CMTA Foundation Golf Tournament that has helped raise tens of thousands for scholarships to benefit students to pursue a career in the manufacturing industry. This year will be the third year of the tournament.

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About CMTA

The California Manufacturers & Technology Association has advocated for pro-growth laws and regulations before the California legislature and administrative agencies since 1918. The total output from manufacturing in California is $300 billion per year, roughly 10 percent of the total economic output of the state. Manufacturers employ 1.3 million Californians paying wages more than $25,000 higher than other non-farm employers in the state. For more information, visit CMTA’s website.