Countries with the Best Paid Manufacturing Workers

Chasing after high pay in manufacturing is more difficult than ever, but if you're up to the task, then it's worthwhile to examine the nations that compensate their workers best. In the United States today, many spheres of manufacturing are getting a bad reputation for moving overseas or lowering wages due to the sour economy. Yet, surprisingly, many jobs haven't disappeared entirely to third world countries with cheaper labor. Here's where the best paid manufacturing careers still thrive, and the locations might not be what you expect.

The Best-Paid Manufacturing Jobs

The major industrial centers of Europe continue to pay workers in manufacturing best. Oddly, the places where the industrial revolution kicked off haven't weakened over the centuries due to changes in manufacturing habits. Despite troubles in the European Union, many nations across the continent continue to see a high labor demand for manufacturing workers, and this boosts wages immensely.

In 2010, Norway led the field as the nation which provides skilled manufacturers with the highest wages in the world. The average employee at a Norwegian factory earned the currency equivalent of more than $57 U.S. dollars, a stark contrast to the average of roughly $35 dollars in the United States measured in the same year. Norway's cold climate, low population in some areas, and plentiful natural resources have contributed to bolstering its position as a major industrial powerhouse. This has only fueled the demand for labor and the willingness to pay out high salaries in the factories.

Behind Norway, countries like Switzerland, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany all topped out in a tier that pays more than $40 U.S. hourly. These relatively healthy economies have robust manufacturing sectors that haven't really been phased by the trouble going on the southern nations of the European Union. As a result, workers continue to reap excellent rewards, with manufacturing positions they can get with minimal training. Renewed social focus on pushing children toward higher education and white collar careers has seemingly increased the manufacturing shortage in these EU nations, resulting in very high salaries and benefits packages as a means to attract new workers.

Other Compensation Elements to Keep in Mind

Although the high rate of pay is impressive and noteworthy in all of these nations, it's worth paying attention to other elements to see how the compensation really stacks up. For instance, high quality pay isn't always matched by generous benefits. While top paying countries like Belgium and Sweden remain at the top for the best pay and benefits in manufacturing, other nations such as France and Brazil edge out competitors in social insurance expenditures and benefits paid directly to employees.

Moreover, tax rates across European Union countries can be quite high. While some of the blow is evened out by access to extensive social safety nets, Americans may be surprised to see how much of a European manufacturing worker's large check disappears into the hands of governments. This aspect tends to balance the field, indicating that high pay doesn't always mean lots of money flowing into the hands of workers directly.

Traveling to Europe is still a good bet for finding a high paying manufacturing job. Still, only a careful examination of the facts will tell you whether or not seeking a career in these high paying countries is wise for you.