From a $18.8 billion foundation in 2023 to a projected $101.7 billion giant by 2032, the 3D printing industry is not just growing—it’s fundamentally reshaping how we design, manufacture, and innovate across the globe.
Key Takeaways
- The global 3D printing market was valued at USD 18.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 101.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 20.7% during the forecast period.
- In 2023, North America dominated the 3D printing market with a share of 37.2%, driven by advanced manufacturing hubs and high R&D investments.
- The additive manufacturing market in Europe reached EUR 4.2 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 22.1% through 2028.
- Stratasys held 12.5% market share in industrial 3D printers in 2023.
- EOS GmbH commanded 18.2% share in metal PBF 3D printers market in 2023.
- 3D Systems led SLA/DLP printers with 22.4% market share globally in 2023.
- Respiratory devices segment dominated medical 3D printing with 32% share in 2023.
- In aerospace, 3D printed engine parts saved Boeing $3 million per aircraft in 2023.
- Automotive prototyping using 3D printing reduced Ford's time-to-market by 64% in 2023.
- The global 3D printing workforce exceeded 250,000 professionals in 2023.
- 45% of 3D printing jobs required engineering degrees, with median salary $95,000 USD in US 2023.
- Women represented 28% of the 3D printing workforce globally in 2023, up from 22% in 2020.
- Venture capital investment in 3D printing startups reached $2.1 billion in 2023.
- 145 M&A deals in AM sector totaled $4.8 billion value in 2023.
- Public 3D printing companies raised $1.2 billion via equity in 2023.
The 3D printing industry is experiencing massive, rapid growth across all global markets and applications.
Applications by Sector
- Respiratory devices segment dominated medical 3D printing with 32% share in 2023.
- In aerospace, 3D printed engine parts saved Boeing $3 million per aircraft in 2023.
- Automotive prototyping using 3D printing reduced Ford's time-to-market by 64% in 2023.
- GE Aviation produced 100,000+ 3D printed fuel nozzles by 2023 cumulatively.
- Dental implants via 3D printing grew to 1.5 million units produced globally in 2023.
- Siemens Healthineers used 3D printing for 20,000+ patient-specific cranioplasty plates in 2023.
- NASA's 3D printed rocket components weighed 25% less, used in 12 missions by 2023.
- Adidas produced 500,000 pairs of 4D midsole shoes using AM in 2023.
- Construction firm ICON 3D printed 100 homes in Texas by end of 2023.
- Jewelry industry used 3D printing for 45% of wax patterns in high-volume production 2023.
- Biomedical stents 3D printed reached 800,000 implants worldwide in 2023.
- Airbus installed 1,200 3D printed cabin parts on A320neo family by 2023.
- Stryker produced 300,000+ patient-specific implants via AM in 2023.
- Volkswagen used 3D printing for 40,000 spare parts annually as of 2023.
- FDA approved 120+ 3D printed medical devices in 2023 alone.
- SpaceX 3D printed 75% of SuperDraco engine components for Crew Dragon by 2023.
- Apis Cor 3D printed walls for 25 buildings in Europe and US in 2023.
- Custom hearing aids: 12 million pairs 3D printed globally in 2023.
- BMW produced 1 million+ personalized gear knobs via HP MJF in 2023.
- Orthopedic prosthetics: 450,000 units 3D printed for amputees in 2023.
- Electronics: 3D printed antennas improved drone signal by 40% in military apps 2023.
- Food: NASA tested 3D printed pizza prototypes 50 times in 2023 microgravity trials.
- Defense: US Army fielded 10,000 3D printed spare parts via expedited manufacturing 2023.
- Fashion: Iris van Herpen showcased 200+ 3D printed couture pieces in 2023 collections.
- Education: 85% of US STEM schools integrated 3D printers, printing 5 million models in 2023.
- Oil & Gas: 3D printed drill bits lasted 30% longer, saving Shell $2M in 2023.
- Consumer goods: Dyson used AM for 100+ prototypes per fan model in 2023 development.
- Marine: 3D printed propellers reduced fuel use by 12% on research vessels 2023.
- Robotics: Soft grippers 3D printed for 50,000 industrial robots in 2023.
- Packaging: Customized 3D printed molds cut production time 70% for brands in 2023.
Applications by Sector Interpretation
It seems that in 2023, 3D printing moved beyond niche prototyping to become the serious, multi-industry workhorse of modern manufacturing, from saving millions in aerospace to creating millions of medical implants, proving its ability to make things lighter, faster, cheaper, and often better.
Employment and Workforce
- The global 3D printing workforce exceeded 250,000 professionals in 2023.
- 45% of 3D printing jobs required engineering degrees, with median salary $95,000 USD in US 2023.
- Women represented 28% of the 3D printing workforce globally in 2023, up from 22% in 2020.
- US added 15,200 3D printing-related jobs in manufacturing sector in 2023.
- Germany had 35,000 AM specialists employed in 2023, 12% YoY growth.
- China’s 3D printing industry employed over 80,000 workers in 2023.
- 62% of AM professionals had 5+ years experience by 2023 surveys.
- Entry-level 3D printing technician salary averaged €45,000 in Europe 2023.
- 3D printing skills demand rose 40% on LinkedIn job postings in 2023.
- UK 3D printing sector workforce totaled 12,500 in 2023, with 18% growth.
- 75% of surveyed companies planned to hire more AM engineers in 2024 post-2023.
- Average age of 3D printing professionals was 37 years in 2023 global survey.
- India’s AM workforce grew to 15,000 in 2023, focused on prototyping.
- 38% of AM jobs were in R&D, 29% production, 20% design in 2023.
- Certification holders (e.g., ASTM AM) numbered 8,500 worldwide in 2023.
- Brazil employed 4,200 in 3D printing industry in 2023, up 25%.
- Remote 3D printing jobs increased 55% during 2023 hybrid work shift.
- Top skills: CAD (92%), slicing software (78%), post-processing (65%) in 2023 hires.
- Australia’s AM workforce hit 6,800 in 2023, driven by mining apps.
- 52% of AM professionals worked for SMEs (<500 employees) in 2023.
- Japan had 22,000 3D printing engineers in automotive sector 2023.
- Training programs graduated 12,000 new AM technicians globally in 2023.
- High-skill AM roles (PhD level) salaries averaged $145,000 USD in 2023.
- 67% of workforce upskilled via online courses (Coursera/Udemy) in 2023.
- Canada employed 9,300 in AM, with 20% in aerospace 2023.
- Turnover rate in 3D printing jobs was 14% in 2023, below industry avg.
- 41% of AM workforce was under 30 years old in 2023.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
While this global industry of 250,000 professionals is still notably young, male, and requires serious CAD muscle, its rapid growth and high-paying engineering jobs are creating a stable and increasingly qualified workforce where experience is now the norm and remote work is firmly on the table.
Hardware and Software
- Stratasys held 12.5% market share in industrial 3D printers in 2023.
- EOS GmbH commanded 18.2% share in metal PBF 3D printers market in 2023.
- 3D Systems led SLA/DLP printers with 22.4% market share globally in 2023.
- HP Inc. captured 15.7% of MJF powder bed printers market in 2023.
- Markforged dominated desktop metal 3D printing with 28.1% share in 2023.
- Formlabs held 35.6% of consumer SLA printers market share in 2023.
- Ultimaker accounted for 14.3% of open-source FDM printers shipments in 2023.
- Desktop Metal secured 21.9% in binder jetting metal printers in 2023.
- Carbon Inc. led DLS resin printing with 41.2% market share in 2023.
- Prusa Research captured 19.8% of prosumer FDM printers in Europe 2023.
- SLM Solutions held 16.5% in laser powder bed fusion for metals 2023.
- Renishaw plc owned 12.7% of DED metal 3D printers market in 2023.
- EnvisionTEC (Etec) had 23.4% share in DLP dental printers 2023.
- BigRep GmbH led large-format FDM with 27.6% market share 2023.
- Nano Dimension dominated 3D-printed electronics printers at 33.1% in 2023.
- voxeljet AG held 18.9% in sand binder jetting for casting 2023.
- Meltio SL captured 14.2% of wire arc DED market in 2023.
- Bambu Lab surged to 11.5% in entry-level FDM printers 2023.
- GE Additive (Concept Laser) 17.3% in high-power metal LPBF 2023.
- Raise3D held 13.8% prosumer FDM market share in Asia 2023.
- Sintavia LLC specialized in aerospace metal printers with 9.4% niche share 2023.
- MatterHackers distributed 8.7% of filament-based printers in US 2023.
- Creality 3D captured 24.5% budget FDM printers globally 2023.
- Trumpf GmbH + Co. KG 15.1% industrial laser metal printers 2023.
- Materialise Magics software held 29.2% pre-processing market share 2023.
- Autodesk Netfabb commanded 22.7% simulation software for AM 2023.
- Siemens NX AM module used by 18.4% enterprises for 3D design 2023.
- nTopology software adopted by 14.6% for lattice structures in 2023.
- Ultimaker Cura slicer downloaded 12 million times in 2023, 41% market share.
- Simplify3D held 16.3% paid slicer market before discontinuation 2023.
- Blender with AM extensions used by 9.8% open-source workflows 2023.
- Ansys Additive Suite licensed by 21.5% for simulation in 2023.
- Geomagic Design X reverse engineering software 25.1% share 2023.
- Cloud-based AM platforms like 3YOURMIND grew 35% users to 1,200 enterprises 2023.
- Open-source PrusaSlicer gained 28.4% adoption in FDM community 2023.
- DyeMansion software for post-processing integrated in 17.2% workflows 2023.
- Vector software for LPBF process control used by 13.9% metal printers 2023.
- HP 3D PrintOS platform had 45,000 users across 120 countries in 2023.
Hardware and Software Interpretation
While the industrial 3D printing market is a fragmented kingdom, it is clearly ruled by a council of specialized monarchs, each reigning supreme over their own meticulously carved technological dukedom.
Investments and Future Projections
- Venture capital investment in 3D printing startups reached $2.1 billion in 2023.
- 145 M&A deals in AM sector totaled $4.8 billion value in 2023.
- Public 3D printing companies raised $1.2 billion via equity in 2023.
- Nano Dimension acquired Admatec for $18.5 million to expand ceramics AM in 2023.
- Desktop Metal merged with Nano Dimension in $1.8 billion deal announced 2023.
- Velo3D secured $25 million Series E extension for metal AM scaling 2023.
- Divergent Technologies raised $160 million for blade battery tech integration 2023.
- Forecast: 3D printing market to hit $80 billion by 2030, CAGR 24% from 2023.
- $500 million government grants allocated to AM R&D in US/EU combined 2023.
- China invested RMB 10 billion in national 3D printing innovation centers 2023.
- Projected 1 million industrial 3D printers installed by 2030 from 150k in 2023.
- Markforged raised $100 million for Pixel software and composites push 2023.
- 3D Systems secured $150 million credit facility for acquisitions 2023.
- AM Powder Solutions got €12 million for metal powder recycling tech 2023.
- By 2028, multi-material 3D printing to represent 15% of market revenues.
- $300 million in bioprinting VC funding poured in 2023 for organ printing.
- Projected cost reduction: Metal parts 40% cheaper via AM by 2030.
- Relievant Therapeutics raised $50 million for 3D printed pain therapy implants 2023.
- Forecast: Construction AM to print 10% of new homes by 2035.
- $1.1 billion IPO pipeline for AM firms expected 2024 post-2023 prep.
- EU Horizon program funded €450 million AM projects 2021-2023 cycle.
- Projected 50% of spare parts mass-customized via AM by 2030.
- Xometry raised $40 million for on-demand AM marketplace expansion 2023.
- $200 million in corporate venture from Airbus/Boeing into AM startups 2023.
- By 2032, ceramics 3D printing market to grow to $4.5 billion.
- Protolabs invested $50 million in factory expansion for AM capacity 2023.
Investments and Future Projections Interpretation
The 3D printing industry is furiously consolidating and innovating, fueled by billions in capital, because it’s racing to turn its revolutionary potential into a projected $80 billion reality before the skeptics can say “another overhyped prototype.”
Market Size and Growth
- The global 3D printing market was valued at USD 18.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 101.7 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 20.7% during the forecast period.
- In 2023, North America dominated the 3D printing market with a share of 37.2%, driven by advanced manufacturing hubs and high R&D investments.
- The additive manufacturing market in Europe reached EUR 4.2 billion in 2022, with a projected CAGR of 22.1% through 2028.
- Asia-Pacific 3D printing market grew at 25.4% CAGR from 2018-2023, fueled by China's industrial policies and manufacturing boom.
- Industrial 3D printing segment accounted for 72% of total market revenue in 2023, compared to 28% for consumer applications.
- Desktop 3D printers sales volume reached 1.2 million units globally in 2023, up 15% from 2022.
- The U.S. 3D printing market size was USD 6.5 billion in 2023, expected to hit USD 32.4 billion by 2030 at 25.8% CAGR.
- Metal 3D printing market valued at USD 3.3 billion in 2023, projected to USD 15.8 billion by 2030 with 24.7% CAGR.
- Polymer 3D printing materials market stood at USD 2.1 billion in 2022, growing to USD 8.5 billion by 2030 at 19.2% CAGR.
- Medical 3D printing market was USD 2.4 billion in 2023, forecasted to reach USD 7.9 billion by 2030 at 18.5% CAGR.
- Aerospace 3D printing applications generated USD 2.8 billion in revenue in 2023, with 27.1% CAGR expected till 2028.
- Automotive 3D printing market hit USD 2.2 billion in 2023, projected to USD 12.4 billion by 2032 at 21.3% CAGR.
- Construction 3D printing sector valued at USD 28.2 million in 2023, expected to grow to USD 1.5 billion by 2030 at 65.4% CAGR.
- Jewelry 3D printing market reached USD 1.2 billion in 2023, with 24.8% CAGR forecast through 2030.
- Food 3D printing market size was USD 205.4 million in 2023, projected to USD 2.3 billion by 2032 at 31.2% CAGR.
- SLA 3D printing technology held 38% market share in resins segment in 2023.
- Powder Bed Fusion technology captured 45% of metal 3D printing market revenue in 2023.
- FDM printers accounted for 62% of desktop 3D printer shipments worldwide in 2023.
- Binder Jetting technology market grew 28.3% YoY in 2023 to USD 1.1 billion.
- Direct Energy Deposition segment valued at USD 0.8 billion in 2023, with 23.5% CAGR to 2030.
- VAT photopolymerization printers sales increased 18.7% in 2023 to 45,000 units globally.
- Material Jetting market reached USD 1.5 billion in 2023, growing at 22.1% CAGR.
- Sheet Lamination technology held 5% market share but grew 30% YoY in 2023.
- Hybrid 3D printing systems market emerged at USD 0.4 billion in 2023, with 26.4% CAGR forecast.
- Large-format 3D printers market valued at USD 1.8 billion in 2023, projected 29.2% CAGR to 2030.
- Micro 3D printing market was USD 0.9 billion in 2023, expected to reach USD 4.2 billion by 2030 at 24.1% CAGR.
- Bioprinting market size stood at USD 1.3 billion in 2023, forecasted to USD 5.1 billion by 2030 at 21.8% CAGR.
- Electronics 3D printing market hit USD 0.7 billion in 2023, with 28.5% CAGR through 2032.
- Defense 3D printing applications generated USD 1.1 billion in 2023, growing at 23.9% CAGR.
- Education sector 3D printing market reached USD 0.6 billion in 2023, projected 19.7% CAGR to 2030.
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
The 3D printing industry is no longer just for tinkering hobbyists, as it's now building billion-dollar jet engines, patient-specific organs, and even future skyscrapers layer by lucrative layer.
Sources & References
- Reference 1FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 2GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 3STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 4MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 5WOHLERSASSOCIATESwohlersassociates.comVisit source
- Reference 6CONTEXT3DPRINTERScontext3dprinters.comVisit source
- Reference 7PRECEDENCERESEARCHprecedenceresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 8MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 9RESEARCHNESTERresearchnester.comVisit source
- Reference 10ALLIEDMARKETRESEARCHalliedmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 11SMARTECHANALYSISsmartechanalysis.comVisit source
- Reference 12TRANSPARENCYMARKETRESEARCHtransparencymarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 13RESEARCHANDMARKETSresearchandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 14IDTECHEXidtechex.comVisit source
- Reference 153DPRINTINGINDUSTRY3dprintingindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 16PTCptc.comVisit source
- Reference 17NTOPOLOGYntopology.comVisit source
- Reference 18ULTIMAKERultimaker.comVisit source
- Reference 19BLENDERblender.orgVisit source
- Reference 20ANSYSansys.comVisit source
- Reference 213DSYSTEMS3dsystems.comVisit source
- Reference 223YOURMIND3yourmind.comVisit source
- Reference 23PRUSA3Dprusa3d.comVisit source
- Reference 24DYEMANSIONdyemansion.comVisit source
- Reference 25HPhp.comVisit source
- Reference 26BOEINGboeing.comVisit source
- Reference 27MEDIAmedia.ford.comVisit source
- Reference 28GEge.comVisit source
- Reference 29SIEMENS-HEALTHINEERSsiemens-healthineers.comVisit source
- Reference 30NASAnasa.govVisit source
- Reference 31ADIDAS-GROUPadidas-group.comVisit source
- Reference 32ICONBUILDiconbuild.comVisit source
- Reference 33AIRBUSairbus.comVisit source
- Reference 34STRYKERstryker.comVisit source
- Reference 35VOLKSWAGEN-GROUPvolkswagen-group.comVisit source
- Reference 36FDAfda.govVisit source
- Reference 37SPACEXspacex.comVisit source
- Reference 38APIS-CORapis-cor.comVisit source
- Reference 39BMWGROUPbmwgroup.comVisit source
- Reference 40ARMYarmy.milVisit source
- Reference 41IRISVANHERPENirisvanherpen.comVisit source
- Reference 42NGCPROJECTngcproject.orgVisit source
- Reference 43SHELLshell.comVisit source
- Reference 44DYSONdyson.comVisit source
- Reference 45BLSbls.govVisit source
- Reference 46WOMENIN3DPRINTINGwomenin3dprinting.comVisit source
- Reference 47VDMAvdma.orgVisit source
- Reference 48CHINA3DPRINTINGchina3dprinting.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 49AMERSCamersc.orgVisit source
- Reference 50GLASSDOORglassdoor.comVisit source
- Reference 51LINKEDINlinkedin.comVisit source
- Reference 52MTTmtt.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 53SCULPTEOsculpteo.comVisit source
- Reference 54ADDITIVEMANUFACTURINGadditivemanufacturing.mediaVisit source
- Reference 55ASTMastm.orgVisit source
- Reference 56AB3Dab3d.com.brVisit source
- Reference 57FLEXJOBSflexjobs.comVisit source
- Reference 58INDEEDindeed.comVisit source
- Reference 59AMTALLIANCEamtalliance.com.auVisit source
- Reference 60EOSeos.infoVisit source
- Reference 61JAMAjama.or.jpVisit source
- Reference 62AM-TRAININGam-training.orgVisit source
- Reference 63SALARYsalary.comVisit source
- Reference 64COURSERAcoursera.orgVisit source
- Reference 65NRC-CNRCnrc-cnrc.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 66SHRMshrm.orgVisit source
- Reference 67YOUNG-IN-AMyoung-in-am.comVisit source
- Reference 68CBINSIGHTScbinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 69NANODIPLTDnanodipltd.comVisit source
- Reference 70INVESTORSinvestors.desktopmetal.comVisit source
- Reference 71VELO3Dvelo3d.comVisit source
- Reference 72DIVERGENT3Ddivergent3d.comVisit source
- Reference 73NISTnist.govVisit source
- Reference 74MIITmiit.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 75INVESTORinvestor.markforged.comVisit source
- Reference 76INVESTORSinvestors.3dsystems.comVisit source
- Reference 77AMPOWERSOLUTIONSampowersolutions.comVisit source
- Reference 78LABIOTECHlabiotech.euVisit source
- Reference 79MCKINSEYmckinsey.comVisit source
- Reference 80RELIEVANTrelievant.comVisit source
- Reference 81RENAISSANCECAPITALrenaissancecapital.comVisit source
- Reference 82ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 83INVESTORSinvestors.xometry.comVisit source
- Reference 84AVIATIONWEEKaviationweek.comVisit source
- Reference 85PROTOLABSprotolabs.comVisit source