A skills gap remains in the manufacturing industry. While finding skilled labor can be a difficult task, there are some common misconceptions about common manufacturing jobs.

Of the jobs in the manufacturing industry, ThomasNet.com noted engineers, technicians, and laborers are three of the 10 hardest positions to actually fill worldwide as of this year. According to CCTV last year, demand for jobs in the manufacturing industry was highest in Ohio, Michigan, California, Illinois, Indiana, and Texas.

As a staffing firm, we've known for a while that filling manufacturing positions is not the easiest task, but we aggressively do it, as we are determined to get you — the employer — the skilled workers you need ASAP. To lend a helping hand, I need to get these myths busted. Ka-pow! I'm making what's fictional and what's factual in the manufacturing industry known (facts to follow in a later post).

Myth #1 - Manufacturing work is limited to assembly line work.

As an employer, you know this is not true, but others still have this misconception. While some manufacturing jobs do involve work on the line, others extend to engineering, IT, and even marketing.

Myths #2 and #3: Manufacturing jobs are unpleasant and do not pay well.

In a recent article published by The Huffington Post, Dr. Robert L. Breuder, President of The College of DuPage, wrote that the main reason for the ongoing skills gap in this industry stems in part from the idea that manufacturing jobs are unpleasant and do not pay well, pushing people to seek out other industries to build a career in.

Both Dr. Breuder and I agree — this could not be more wrong. Dr. Breuder noted that according to a report, the average compensation for manufacturing employees is 19 percent higher than workers in other industries. Manufacturing workers are even receiving more generous benefits than their peers.

According to Salary.com, the U.S. national averages for the following jobs are as follows:

Assembly Supervisor - $58,113

Engineer I - $59, 563

Machine Operator II - $34,793

Welder I - $35,215

For additional salaries, visit salary.com.

The lower salaries here are not far below what the national average wage index is for 2011 (the most recent statistics we found) according to the Social Security Administration, which was 42,979.61.

Myth #4 - Manufacturing jobs are not intellectual enough.

If making steel bars or suites for firefighters, operating complex machines, and solving difficult equations are not intellectual enough, then please tell me what is.

For help filling manufacturing positions at your company, contact us.