Plastics & Rubber Product Manufacturing

Industries in the Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing subsector make goods by processing plastics materials and raw rubber. The core technology employed by establishments in this subsector is that of plastics or rubber product production. Plastics and rubber are combined in the same subsector because plastics are increasingly being used as a substitute for rubber; however the subsector is generally restricted to the production of products made of just one material, either solely plastics or rubber.

Many manufacturing activities use plastics or rubber, for example the manufacture of footwear, or furniture. Typically, the production process of these products involves more than one material. In these cases, technologies that allow disparate materials to be formed and combined are of central importance in describing the manufacturing activity. In NAICS, such activities (the footwear and furniture manufacturing) are not classified in the Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing subsector because the core technologies for these activities are diverse and involve multiple materials.

Within the Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing subsector, a distinction is made between plastics and rubber products at the industry group level, although it is not a rigid distinction, as can be seen from the definition of Industry 32622, Rubber and Plastics Hoses and Belting Manufacturing. As materials technology progresses, plastics are increasingly being used as a substitute for rubber; and eventually, the distinction may disappear as a basis for establishment classification.

In keeping with the core technology focus of plastics, lamination of plastics film to plastics film as well as the production of bags from plastics only is classified in this subsector. Lamination and bag production involving plastics and materials other than plastics are classified in the NAICS Subsector 322, Paper Manufacturing.

(Occupational titles are links to ISEEK career information pages that will open in a new window,
where you can study the career description, work activities, and plan your education)

Occupations in Demand in the Plastics & Rubber Product Manufacturing Industry
Industrial Production Managers	$71,605	130	High	60	114	Bachelor's or higher degree
Electrical Engineers	$67,160	80	High	30	73	Bachelor's degree
General & Operations Managers	$65,779	920	Low	470	883	Bachelor's or higher degree
Computer Software Engineers	$56,426	110	Medium	20	122	Bachelor's degree
First-line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installation, & Repair Workers	$53,057	370	High	220	347	Long-term on-the-job training or related work experience
Accountants & Auditors	$49,278	530	Medium	290	492	Bachelor's degree
Training & Development Specialists	$48,018	50	Low	20	59	Bachelor's or higher degree
Purchasing Agents & Buyers (incl. Farm Products & Wholesale Trade)	$44,189	110	High	70	107	Bachelor's degree & related work experience
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$40,053	250	Low	120	191	Associate degree
Database Administrators	$39,613	NR	Low	NR	NR	Bachelor's or higher degree
Exec. Secretaries & Admin. Assistants	$34,938	580	Medium	320	572	Moderate on-the-job training
Production, Planning & Expediting Clerks	$33,897	90	Medium	60	87	Short-term on-the-job training
Payroll & Timekeeping Clerks	$33,322	130	High	100	171	Short-term on-the-job training
General Maintenance & Repair Workers	$32,042	460	Medium	270	481	Associate degree
Industrial Truck & Tractor Operators	$30,877	220	Medium	160	188	Short-term on-the-job training
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal & Plastic	$27,690	120	Medium	50	96	Associate degree
Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks	$26,102	330	Medium	190	319	Short-term on-the-job training
Janitors & Cleaners	$22,541	1,430	Medium	790	1,269	Short-term on-the-job training
Laborers and Freight & Stock Movers	$21,880	1,050	Medium	810	894	Short-term on-the-job training
Source: Minnesota Dept. of Employment & Economic Development 2007 Median Annual Salary Data from the 2nd Qtr. 2007 Minnesota Salary Survey Current Demand Data from the 2nd Qtr. 2007 Minnesota Job Vacancy Survey Projected Employment Data from the 2004-2014 Minnesota Employment Projections Program

Feedback: Nathan.Dorr@state.mn.us