PHOENIX, AZ (October 2, 2026) – Today marks Manufacturing Day, the kickoff to Manufacturing Month. Arizona is home to one of the nation’s strongest, fastest‑growing manufacturing sectors — powering tens of thousands of high‑skill jobs, attracting record private investment, and driving economic opportunity in communities statewide. 

 

Arizona’s momentum reflects a decade of industry expansion across semiconductors, aerospace and defense, batteries, automotive photonics, advanced materials, and more. 

 

Below are ten facts about Arizona's manufacturing momentum. 

• #1 in the nation for concentration of guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing (2025).
• #1 in percent employment growth in production occupations from 2020–2025 (up 15%).
• #1 for semiconductor investment since 2020, with more than $319 billion announced by global leaders.
• #5 in U.S. aerospace and defense manufacturing employment, with 39,389 workers statewide.
• #8 nationally for pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing job growth from 2020–2025 (35%).
• 6,124 manufacturing establishments support 194,280 direct jobs across Arizona.
• Manufacturing employment increased 10% from 2020–2025 — more than double the national average. 
• $37.2 billion in real manufacturing GDP in 2025, up from $28.5 billion in 2018 — a 30.9% increase, over 3x the U.S. growth rate of 9.1%.
• Arizona exported $39.5 billion in manufactured goods in 2025, more than doubling 2020 export levels.
• Manufacturing wages average $100,547, exceeding the national average of $89,825. 

 

Supporting Arizona manufacturers 

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) provides end‑to‑end support to manufacturers through programs spanning workforce development, supply chain, site selection, infrastructure, training, modernization, and more. 

The Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (AZ MEP) offers hands‑on expertise through programs such as the Leadership Development Program, Lean Green Belt Training, Lean Simulation, CMMC readiness, and customized consulting.

In FY26, AZ MEP completed 279 projects with 221 manufacturers, resulting in: 

• 592 jobs created or retained
• $21.5 million in cost savings
• $103 million in new and retained sales
• $38.8 million in new client investments 

Arizona remains committed to empowering manufacturers, strengthening competitiveness, and supporting the continued expansion of one of the nation’s most dynamic industrial economies. 

To learn more about how the ACA supports manufacturers, visit azcommerce.com. 

Media Contact

Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com

About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state's leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona's economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create - attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on X @azcommerce.