GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hr In The Plastic Industry Statistics

The U.S. plastics industry has a diverse and aging workforce facing significant recruitment and retention challenges.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Average plastics worker salary is $52,300 annually.

Statistic 2

Plastics machine operators earn median $45,680 per year.

Statistic 3

68% of plastics firms offer health insurance coverage.

Statistic 4

Bonus pay averages 8% of salary in plastics management.

Statistic 5

401(k) matching provided by 55% of plastics employers.

Statistic 6

Paid time off averages 15 days for plastics production staff.

Statistic 7

Overtime pay constitutes 12% of total compensation in plastics.

Statistic 8

HR managers in plastics earn $128,000 median salary.

Statistic 9

42% of plastics workers receive shift differentials.

Statistic 10

Tuition reimbursement offered to 31% of plastics employees.

Statistic 11

Average benefits cost 32% of base salary in plastics.

Statistic 12

Profit-sharing plans cover 19% of plastics workforce.

Statistic 13

Childcare benefits provided by 14% of plastics firms.

Statistic 14

Salary increase rate in plastics was 4.1% in 2023.

Statistic 15

76% participation in plastics wellness programs.

Statistic 16

Long-term disability coverage at 62% of plastics companies.

Statistic 17

Commission structures used for 9% of plastics sales roles.

Statistic 18

Flexible spending accounts offered to 48% of staff.

Statistic 19

Equity grants in plastics average $15,000 value.

Statistic 20

55% of plastics firms adjusted pay for inflation in 2023.

Statistic 21

Recordable injury rate in plastics manufacturing is 2.8 per 100 workers.

Statistic 22

Lost workday cases average 1.4 per 100 full-time plastics workers.

Statistic 23

67% of plastics facilities comply with OSHA safety standards fully.

Statistic 24

Heat stress incidents rose 15% in plastics plants in 2022.

Statistic 25

Ergonomic injuries account for 28% of plastics worker claims.

Statistic 26

Safety training reduces accidents by 22% in plastics sector.

Statistic 27

PPE usage compliance is 89% in plastics manufacturing.

Statistic 28

Chemical exposure reports average 0.9 per 100 workers annually.

Statistic 29

41% of plastics HR track mental health absenteeism.

Statistic 30

Fall protection violations top plastics OSHA citations at 18%.

Statistic 31

Noise-induced hearing loss claims 3% of plastics disabilities.

Statistic 32

Safety committee presence in 73% of plastics facilities.

Statistic 33

Respiratory protection program adoption at 82%.

Statistic 34

Musculoskeletal disorders rate is 45 per 10,000 plastics workers.

Statistic 35

Emergency response drills conducted quarterly by 56% of plants.

Statistic 36

94% of plastics firms have written hazard communication plans.

Statistic 37

Fatigue-related incidents comprise 11% of plastics accidents.

Statistic 38

Lockout/tagout compliance at 91% in audited plastics sites.

Statistic 39

Wellness screenings detect 24% hypertension in plastics staff.

Statistic 40

Machine guarding violations second at 16% of citations.

Statistic 41

Safety investment averages $850 per employee in plastics.

Statistic 42

Plastics industry turnover rate averages 28% annually.

Statistic 43

45% of plastics manufacturers report difficulty hiring skilled operators.

Statistic 44

Average time to fill a plastics production role is 42 days.

Statistic 45

62% of plastics firms use contingent workers to address shortages.

Statistic 46

Retention rate for entry-level plastics workers is 68% after one year.

Statistic 47

37% of plastics HR managers cite skills gaps as top retention barrier.

Statistic 48

Plastics industry uses social media for 55% of recruitment efforts.

Statistic 49

Employee referral programs yield 34% of hires in plastics manufacturing.

Statistic 50

51% of plastics workers leave due to lack of career advancement.

Statistic 51

Onboarding completion rate in plastics firms is 82%.

Statistic 52

29% annual attrition rate for skilled trades in plastics.

Statistic 53

70% of plastics manufacturers plan to increase hiring in 2024.

Statistic 54

Cost per hire in plastics industry averages $4,200.

Statistic 55

48% of hires in plastics are internal promotions.

Statistic 56

Applicant tracking systems are used by 76% of plastics HR departments.

Statistic 57

22% of plastics positions remain vacant over 90 days.

Statistic 58

Diversity hiring initiatives boosted retention by 15% in plastics firms.

Statistic 59

Plastics sector experiences 3.8% monthly voluntary turnover.

Statistic 60

65% of plastics HR budgets allocated to retention programs.

Statistic 61

Average tenure of plastics manufacturing employees is 4.7 years.

Statistic 62

52% of plastics workers receive annual training hours exceeding 40.

Statistic 63

78% of plastics firms invest in upskilling for automation.

Statistic 64

Digital training platforms adopted by 61% of plastics HR teams.

Statistic 65

Apprenticeship programs cover 14% of plastics workforce entry.

Statistic 66

ROI on training in plastics manufacturing is 4:1.

Statistic 67

45% of plastics employees lack formal safety certification.

Statistic 68

Leadership development programs reach 28% of plastics managers.

Statistic 69

Micro-credentialing used in 39% of plastics skill programs.

Statistic 70

67% of plastics firms report improved productivity post-training.

Statistic 71

Annual training budget per employee in plastics is $1,250.

Statistic 72

33% of plastics training focuses on sustainability skills.

Statistic 73

VR simulation training implemented by 22% of plastics plants.

Statistic 74

Certification completion rate for plastics operators is 76%.

Statistic 75

Soft skills training covers 25% of plastics development hours.

Statistic 76

58% of plastics HR prioritize AI literacy training.

Statistic 77

Cross-training reduces downtime by 19% in plastics facilities.

Statistic 78

41% of plastics workers access online learning portals.

Statistic 79

Mentor programs pair 35% of new plastics hires.

Statistic 80

Training satisfaction score in plastics averages 4.2/5.

Statistic 81

27% of plastics training budget shifted to remote in 2023.

Statistic 82

In 2022, the U.S. plastics industry employed approximately 1.04 million workers.

Statistic 83

Women make up 28% of the plastics manufacturing workforce in the United States.

Statistic 84

The average age of plastics industry workers is 44.2 years old.

Statistic 85

35% of plastics workers have a high school diploma or less as their highest education level.

Statistic 86

Hispanic or Latino workers constitute 22% of the plastics manufacturing labor force.

Statistic 87

Baby boomers (aged 55+) represent 24% of the plastics sector workforce.

Statistic 88

15% of plastics industry employees are under 25 years old.

Statistic 89

Black or African American workers account for 12% of plastics manufacturing jobs.

Statistic 90

The plastics industry has a workforce participation rate of 62% for males aged 25-54.

Statistic 91

Asian workers make up 6% of the U.S. plastics manufacturing employees.

Statistic 92

Veterans comprise 8% of the plastics industry workforce.

Statistic 93

42% of plastics workers live in the Midwest region of the U.S.

Statistic 94

Union membership in plastics manufacturing stands at 10.5%.

Statistic 95

Immigrants represent 18% of the plastics sector labor force.

Statistic 96

Full-time workers in plastics average 40.8 hours per week.

Statistic 97

Part-time employment in plastics manufacturing is 12% of total workforce.

Statistic 98

Plastics industry workforce grew by 2.1% from 2021 to 2022.

Statistic 99

Rural areas host 55% of plastics manufacturing facilities and workers.

Statistic 100

65% of plastics workers are non-college educated.

Statistic 101

The gender pay gap in plastics manufacturing is 18%.

1/101

Sources

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Beyond the machines and molds, the human engine of America's plastics industry is a complex and often overlooked mosaic, with 1.04 million workers whose demographics, challenges, and opportunities reveal a sector at a pivotal crossroads for HR.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the U.S. plastics industry employed approximately 1.04 million workers.
Women make up 28% of the plastics manufacturing workforce in the United States.
The average age of plastics industry workers is 44.2 years old.
Plastics industry turnover rate averages 28% annually.
45% of plastics manufacturers report difficulty hiring skilled operators.
Average time to fill a plastics production role is 42 days.
52% of plastics workers receive annual training hours exceeding 40.
78% of plastics firms invest in upskilling for automation.
Digital training platforms adopted by 61% of plastics HR teams.
Average plastics worker salary is $52,300 annually.
Plastics machine operators earn median $45,680 per year.
68% of plastics firms offer health insurance coverage.
Recordable injury rate in plastics manufacturing is 2.8 per 100 workers.
Lost workday cases average 1.4 per 100 full-time plastics workers.
67% of plastics facilities comply with OSHA safety standards fully.

The U.S. plastics industry has a diverse and aging workforce facing significant recruitment and retention challenges.

Compensation and Benefits

Average plastics worker salary is $52,300 annually.
Plastics machine operators earn median $45,680 per year.
68% of plastics firms offer health insurance coverage.
Bonus pay averages 8% of salary in plastics management.
401(k) matching provided by 55% of plastics employers.
Paid time off averages 15 days for plastics production staff.
Overtime pay constitutes 12% of total compensation in plastics.
HR managers in plastics earn $128,000 median salary.
42% of plastics workers receive shift differentials.
Tuition reimbursement offered to 31% of plastics employees.
Average benefits cost 32% of base salary in plastics.
Profit-sharing plans cover 19% of plastics workforce.
Childcare benefits provided by 14% of plastics firms.
Salary increase rate in plastics was 4.1% in 2023.
76% participation in plastics wellness programs.
Long-term disability coverage at 62% of plastics companies.
Commission structures used for 9% of plastics sales roles.
Flexible spending accounts offered to 48% of staff.
Equity grants in plastics average $15,000 value.
55% of plastics firms adjusted pay for inflation in 2023.

Compensation and Benefits Interpretation

While the plastics industry reliably pays the bills with solid benefits, it also neatly demonstrates that career growth, like some polymers, remains stubbornly linear.

Occupational Health and Safety

Recordable injury rate in plastics manufacturing is 2.8 per 100 workers.
Lost workday cases average 1.4 per 100 full-time plastics workers.
67% of plastics facilities comply with OSHA safety standards fully.
Heat stress incidents rose 15% in plastics plants in 2022.
Ergonomic injuries account for 28% of plastics worker claims.
Safety training reduces accidents by 22% in plastics sector.
PPE usage compliance is 89% in plastics manufacturing.
Chemical exposure reports average 0.9 per 100 workers annually.
41% of plastics HR track mental health absenteeism.
Fall protection violations top plastics OSHA citations at 18%.
Noise-induced hearing loss claims 3% of plastics disabilities.
Safety committee presence in 73% of plastics facilities.
Respiratory protection program adoption at 82%.
Musculoskeletal disorders rate is 45 per 10,000 plastics workers.
Emergency response drills conducted quarterly by 56% of plants.
94% of plastics firms have written hazard communication plans.
Fatigue-related incidents comprise 11% of plastics accidents.
Lockout/tagout compliance at 91% in audited plastics sites.
Wellness screenings detect 24% hypertension in plastics staff.
Machine guarding violations second at 16% of citations.
Safety investment averages $850 per employee in plastics.

Occupational Health and Safety Interpretation

While the plastics industry boasts a commendable 89% PPE compliance and has convinced two-thirds of its plants to fully play by OSHA's rules, its persistent battle with ergonomics, machine guarding, and a worrying spike in heat stress proves that worker safety hinges on preventing the daily grind from becoming literally grinding.

Recruitment and Retention

Plastics industry turnover rate averages 28% annually.
45% of plastics manufacturers report difficulty hiring skilled operators.
Average time to fill a plastics production role is 42 days.
62% of plastics firms use contingent workers to address shortages.
Retention rate for entry-level plastics workers is 68% after one year.
37% of plastics HR managers cite skills gaps as top retention barrier.
Plastics industry uses social media for 55% of recruitment efforts.
Employee referral programs yield 34% of hires in plastics manufacturing.
51% of plastics workers leave due to lack of career advancement.
Onboarding completion rate in plastics firms is 82%.
29% annual attrition rate for skilled trades in plastics.
70% of plastics manufacturers plan to increase hiring in 2024.
Cost per hire in plastics industry averages $4,200.
48% of hires in plastics are internal promotions.
Applicant tracking systems are used by 76% of plastics HR departments.
22% of plastics positions remain vacant over 90 days.
Diversity hiring initiatives boosted retention by 15% in plastics firms.
Plastics sector experiences 3.8% monthly voluntary turnover.
65% of plastics HR budgets allocated to retention programs.
Average tenure of plastics manufacturing employees is 4.7 years.

Recruitment and Retention Interpretation

The plastics industry is caught in a self-defeating loop: they can't find or keep enough skilled people to make the products, so they’re constantly and expensively recruiting to replace the ones who leave because there aren’t enough skilled people to share the load.

Training and Development

52% of plastics workers receive annual training hours exceeding 40.
78% of plastics firms invest in upskilling for automation.
Digital training platforms adopted by 61% of plastics HR teams.
Apprenticeship programs cover 14% of plastics workforce entry.
ROI on training in plastics manufacturing is 4:1.
45% of plastics employees lack formal safety certification.
Leadership development programs reach 28% of plastics managers.
Micro-credentialing used in 39% of plastics skill programs.
67% of plastics firms report improved productivity post-training.
Annual training budget per employee in plastics is $1,250.
33% of plastics training focuses on sustainability skills.
VR simulation training implemented by 22% of plastics plants.
Certification completion rate for plastics operators is 76%.
Soft skills training covers 25% of plastics development hours.
58% of plastics HR prioritize AI literacy training.
Cross-training reduces downtime by 19% in plastics facilities.
41% of plastics workers access online learning portals.
Mentor programs pair 35% of new plastics hires.
Training satisfaction score in plastics averages 4.2/5.
27% of plastics training budget shifted to remote in 2023.

Training and Development Interpretation

The plastics industry is caught in a productive but precarious tango, investing heavily in automation and digital training with impressive returns, yet still stumbling over basic safety certifications and struggling to cultivate its future leaders at scale.

Workforce Demographics

In 2022, the U.S. plastics industry employed approximately 1.04 million workers.
Women make up 28% of the plastics manufacturing workforce in the United States.
The average age of plastics industry workers is 44.2 years old.
35% of plastics workers have a high school diploma or less as their highest education level.
Hispanic or Latino workers constitute 22% of the plastics manufacturing labor force.
Baby boomers (aged 55+) represent 24% of the plastics sector workforce.
15% of plastics industry employees are under 25 years old.
Black or African American workers account for 12% of plastics manufacturing jobs.
The plastics industry has a workforce participation rate of 62% for males aged 25-54.
Asian workers make up 6% of the U.S. plastics manufacturing employees.
Veterans comprise 8% of the plastics industry workforce.
42% of plastics workers live in the Midwest region of the U.S.
Union membership in plastics manufacturing stands at 10.5%.
Immigrants represent 18% of the plastics sector labor force.
Full-time workers in plastics average 40.8 hours per week.
Part-time employment in plastics manufacturing is 12% of total workforce.
Plastics industry workforce grew by 2.1% from 2021 to 2022.
Rural areas host 55% of plastics manufacturing facilities and workers.
65% of plastics workers are non-college educated.
The gender pay gap in plastics manufacturing is 18%.

Workforce Demographics Interpretation

While the plastics industry shows signs of growth and is a crucial employer, particularly in the Midwest and rural America, its workforce is a graying, predominantly male bastion with a significant gender pay gap, highlighting a pressing need to attract younger, more diverse, and educated talent to mold its future.