US manufacturing output recovers while employment remains flat
SPY•SPY•SPY•SPY•US manufacturing production began recovering in early 2026, while employment remained largely unchanged. Output is more than 60% above 1970s levels, but manufacturing employment is 6.8 million below its August 1979 peak.
US manufacturing production began recovering in early 2026, but employment remained largely unchanged despite tariffs aimed at boosting factory jobs. Output now exceeds 1970s levels by more than 60%, while employment is 6.8 million below its August 1979 peak.
Computer and electronic products output has risen approximately 3,400% since 1990, while employment in the sector fell from roughly 2 million to about 1 million. US manufacturing workers earn approximately $77,000 annually before benefits, compared with roughly $15,000 in China; tariffs sufficient to offset that wage gap across all industries would effectively prohibit trade and significantly reduce economic welfare.
