Manufacturing is a process that uses human and machine labor to build (and sell) items for a profit. The process generally takes raw, unfinished materials and turns them into finished items that can be sold. The jobs created by manufacturing goods have historically provided stable, well paying, and productive employment. In recent years, however, manufacturing jobs have become more and more scarce due to advances in technology (requiring less human labor), and the export of manufacturing jobs to other countries (while the economy of the United States becomes more of a "service" economy).

The rise and fall of American manufacturing jobs can be seen primarily in the midwestern US along what is called the "rust belt". Entire communities have been created and destroyed by large factories that have either moved jobs to different locations or closed their doors. This is not to say that there is no jobs available for this market but the sector is rapidly changing. Many industrial manufacturing jobs have been converted to technology ,healthcare, and "green" oriented manufacturing jobs - which is giving new life to the economy over the last few years.

Jobs involved with manufacture have historically been highly unionized due to safetly and job security concerns. This has continued with the conversion to newer manufacturing jobs and provides many economic and social benefits. As our economy changes the meaning and importance of creating items will continue to change - hopefully for the better.