Look beyond the glitz and glamour: Los Angeles' manufacturing sector isn't just alive, it's a dynamic and powerful $126 billion economic engine supporting one in nine local jobs.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Los Angeles County's manufacturing sector employed 344,500 workers, accounting for 8.2% of total county employment and marking a 2.1% increase from 2021
- As of Q4 2023, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim MSA had 512,300 manufacturing jobs, with an average monthly employment of 509,200, up 1.8% year-over-year
- Women comprised 28.4% of the manufacturing workforce in Los Angeles in 2021, totaling approximately 97,800 female workers out of 344,500 total manufacturing employees
- In 2022, Los Angeles manufacturing GDP contribution was $42.3 billion, representing 11.4% of the county's total GDP of $371 billion
- Manufacturing exports from Los Angeles County totaled $18.7 billion in 2022, accounting for 22% of California's total manufacturing exports
- The value added by manufacturing in LA was $38.9 billion in 2021, up 4.2% from 2020, driven by aerospace and apparel sectors
- Apparel manufacturing dominated with 25% of LA manufacturing establishments in 2022, totaling 3,100 firms employing 45,000 workers
- Aerospace products and parts manufacturing in Los Angeles employed 38,200 workers in 2022, generating $12.4 billion in output
- Food manufacturing subsector in LA County had 1,850 establishments in 2021, producing $15.7 billion in value added
- In 2022, LA manufacturing shipments totaled $145.6 billion, with a 4.1% increase from 2021 driven by aerospace recovery
- Capacity utilization in LA manufacturing averaged 78.2% in 2023, highest since 2018
- Apparel production in LA manufactured 120 million garments in 2022, valued at $6.8 billion wholesale
- LA manufacturing projected to grow 2.8% annually through 2030, adding 15,000 jobs by 2025
- Post-COVID recovery saw LA manufacturing output surge 12.4% in 2021, fastest in a decade
- Advanced manufacturing segment grew 8.2% in employment from 2018-2023 in LA
Los Angeles manufacturing is growing steadily, employing over 500,000 people and fueling the regional economy with high-wage jobs.
Economic Output
- In 2022, Los Angeles manufacturing GDP contribution was $42.3 billion, representing 11.4% of the county's total GDP of $371 billion
- Manufacturing exports from Los Angeles County totaled $18.7 billion in 2022, accounting for 22% of California's total manufacturing exports
- The value added by manufacturing in LA was $38.9 billion in 2021, up 4.2% from 2020, driven by aerospace and apparel sectors
- Manufacturing payroll in Los Angeles County reached $25.1 billion in 2022, with average weekly wages of $1,394
- In 2023, manufacturing contributed $45.2 billion to LA's economy, growing 3.8% annually and supporting 1 in 9 jobs indirectly
- LA manufacturing firms generated $112 billion in total sales in 2021, with 60% from goods-producing activities
- The multiplier effect of manufacturing in Los Angeles created $68.4 billion in indirect economic output in 2022
- Property taxes from manufacturing properties in LA County totaled $1.2 billion in FY2022, funding 8% of local services
- Manufacturing R&D spending in LA reached $4.7 billion in 2022, 12% of California's total manufacturing R&D
- In 2022, LA manufacturing supported 784,000 indirect and induced jobs, with a total economic impact of $126 billion
- Freight transportation costs for LA manufacturing goods were $6.3 billion in 2022, 14% of sector operating expenses
- Manufacturing venture capital investment in Los Angeles totaled $1.8 billion in 2023 across 45 deals, focusing on cleantech
- Energy costs for LA manufacturing firms averaged $2.4 billion annually in 2022, representing 2.1% of total production costs
- LA manufacturing's share of county personal income was 9.8% in 2022, contributing $32.6 billion to resident earnings
- In 2021, manufacturing capital investments in LA exceeded $7.2 billion, including $2.1 billion in new machinery and equipment
- Sales tax revenue from manufacturing-related retail in LA County was $890 million in FY2023
- LA manufacturing productivity per worker was $122,800 in 2022, 18% above the U.S. average of $104,000
- Corporate income taxes from LA manufacturing entities totaled $1.1 billion in 2022
- In 2023, manufacturing accounted for 15% of LA's business receipts, generating $145 billion in gross output
- Tourism-related manufacturing (e.g., souvenirs) contributed $450 million to LA's economy in 2022
- LA manufacturing's environmental compliance costs were $1.3 billion in 2022, 1.2% of sector revenue
- Insurance premiums for LA manufacturing firms reached $2.8 billion in 2023, driven by supply chain risks
- In 2022, manufacturing philanthropy from LA firms totaled $180 million, supporting STEM education
- LA manufacturing inventory value stood at $28.4 billion in Q4 2023, up 5.2% from prior year
Economic Output Interpretation
Los Angeles manufacturing isn't just making things; it's the robust, $126 billion engine of the county, quietly funding our schools with property taxes, pioneering cleantech with venture capital, and paying the bills—despite energy costs and insurance premiums—while putting a surprisingly productive paycheck in the pocket of one in nine local workers.
Employment Statistics
- In 2022, Los Angeles County's manufacturing sector employed 344,500 workers, accounting for 8.2% of total county employment and marking a 2.1% increase from 2021
- As of Q4 2023, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim MSA had 512,300 manufacturing jobs, with an average monthly employment of 509,200, up 1.8% year-over-year
- Women comprised 28.4% of the manufacturing workforce in Los Angeles in 2021, totaling approximately 97,800 female workers out of 344,500 total manufacturing employees
- The average annual wage for manufacturing workers in Los Angeles County was $72,450 in 2022, 15% higher than the national manufacturing average of $63,000
- Hispanic or Latino workers made up 52.3% of Los Angeles manufacturing employees in 2020, equating to about 180,200 individuals in a workforce of 344,500
- In 2023, there were 12,450 manufacturing establishments in Los Angeles County, with 78% being small businesses employing fewer than 50 workers
- Manufacturing job openings in Los Angeles averaged 8,200 per month in 2023, with a job vacancy rate of 3.2% in the sector
- The sector added 5,600 net new manufacturing jobs in Los Angeles County between 2021 and 2022, primarily in transportation equipment manufacturing
- Union membership in Los Angeles manufacturing stood at 14.7% in 2022, covering about 50,600 workers out of 344,500 total
- STEM-educated workers accounted for 22% of the Los Angeles manufacturing workforce in 2021, totaling 75,790 individuals with science, technology, engineering, or math backgrounds
- Manufacturing employment in Los Angeles declined by 1.2% from 2019 to 2020 due to COVID-19, losing 4,100 jobs to reach 340,400
- In 2022, 65% of Los Angeles manufacturing workers were full-time, averaging 39.2 hours per week, compared to 62% nationally
- The unemployment rate for manufacturing workers in Los Angeles was 4.1% in 2023, below the county average of 5.2%
- Veteran employment in LA manufacturing reached 3.8% of the workforce in 2021, or 13,100 veterans out of 344,500 total employees
- Part-time manufacturing jobs in Los Angeles grew by 4.5% in 2022, adding 2,900 positions to total 67,000 part-time workers
- In 2023, 18% of LA manufacturing jobs required a bachelor's degree or higher, primarily in advanced manufacturing roles
- Black or African American workers represented 6.5% of Los Angeles manufacturing employment in 2022, totaling 22,400 individuals
- Manufacturing apprenticeships in LA County numbered 1,200 active participants in 2023, with 45% in advanced manufacturing trades
- The sector's labor force participation rate for manufacturing in Los Angeles was 92.3% in 2022, higher than the national rate of 90.1%
- Asian workers comprised 15.2% of LA manufacturing employees in 2021, equating to 52,400 workers
- In 2022, manufacturing overtime hours averaged 3.8 hours per week per worker in Los Angeles, contributing to wage growth
- White non-Hispanic workers held 24.1% of LA manufacturing jobs in 2022, or 83,000 positions out of 344,500
- Entry-level manufacturing wages in Los Angeles started at $18.50 per hour in 2023, 12% above California's minimum wage
- Manufacturing turnover rate in LA was 28.4% annually in 2022, lower than the national average of 32.1%
- In 2023, 7,200 manufacturing jobs in Los Angeles were in green manufacturing roles, growing 5% year-over-year
- Manufacturing establishments with 100+ employees in LA County numbered 450 in 2022, employing 65% of the sector's workforce
- Youth employment (ages 16-24) in LA manufacturing was 9.2% of the workforce in 2021, totaling 31,700 young workers
- Disability employment rate in manufacturing reached 4.1% in Los Angeles in 2022, or 14,100 workers
- Remote/hybrid manufacturing jobs comprised 2.3% of total positions in LA in 2023, mainly in R&D roles
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Even as its small shops hummed with opportunity, LA's manufacturing sector proved stubbornly resilient in 2023, offering above-average wages and stability while its face was refreshingly diverse, yet it still struggled to fully open its factory doors to women and attract enough new workers to fill its many vacancies.
Growth and Trends
- LA manufacturing projected to grow 2.8% annually through 2030, adding 15,000 jobs by 2025
- Post-COVID recovery saw LA manufacturing output surge 12.4% in 2021, fastest in a decade
- Advanced manufacturing segment grew 8.2% in employment from 2018-2023 in LA
- Reshoring initiatives brought 2,200 manufacturing jobs back to LA since 2020
- Sustainability investments in LA manufacturing rose 15% to $1.2 billion in 2023
- Digital transformation adoption reached 68% of LA manufacturers by 2023, boosting productivity 22%
- Nearshoring trends increased Mexican imports for LA manufacturing by 18% in 2022
- EV component manufacturing in LA expanded 25% in capacity from 2021-2023
- Labor productivity in LA manufacturing grew 3.1% annually 2017-2022
- Venture funding for LA manufacturing startups hit $2.1 billion in 2023, up 28% YoY
- Tariff impacts reduced LA manufacturing import costs by 4% post-2020 trade deals
- Automation reduced LA manufacturing labor costs by 11% per unit from 2019-2023
- Cleantech manufacturing patents from LA firms rose 19% to 450 in 2022
- Supply chain diversification cut LA manufacturing disruptions by 35% in 2023
- LA manufacturing inflation-adjusted output grew 2.9% in 2023 despite national slowdown
- Workforce upskilling programs trained 12,000 LA manufacturing workers in 2023
- Export growth in LA manufacturing averaged 5.6% annually 2018-2023
- Post-pandemic inventory buildup added $4.5 billion to LA manufacturing stocks in 2022
- AI integration in LA manufacturing processes increased 42% from 2020-2023
- LA manufacturing carbon emissions declined 14% per unit output 2015-2022
- Small business manufacturing survival rate in LA improved to 78% after 5 years in 2023 cohort
- Biotech manufacturing R&D spend grew 11% annually to $2.8 billion in LA 2023
- LA manufacturing new plant openings totaled 45 in 2023, creating 3,200 jobs
Growth and Trends Interpretation
Los Angeles manufacturing is defiantly retooling itself into a leaner, greener, and smarter version of its former self, proving that even in the age of Silicon Valley, there's serious muscle and money in actually building things.
Industry Sectors
- Apparel manufacturing dominated with 25% of LA manufacturing establishments in 2022, totaling 3,100 firms employing 45,000 workers
- Aerospace products and parts manufacturing in Los Angeles employed 38,200 workers in 2022, generating $12.4 billion in output
- Food manufacturing subsector in LA County had 1,850 establishments in 2021, producing $15.7 billion in value added
- Furniture and related product manufacturing accounted for 12% of LA manufacturing jobs in 2023, or 41,300 positions
- Fabricated metal product manufacturing firms numbered 1,200 in LA in 2022, employing 22,500 and exporting $2.8 billion
- Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing grew to 8,400 jobs in Los Angeles by 2023, up 6% from 2020
- Transportation equipment manufacturing (excluding aerospace) had 25,600 employees in LA County in 2022
- Chemical manufacturing in LA produced $4.2 billion in shipments in 2021, with 450 firms
- Computer and electronic product manufacturing employed 18,900 in LA in 2023, focusing on semiconductors
- Plastics and rubber products manufacturing had 1,050 establishments in LA, generating $3.1 billion in value
- Printing and related support activities sector employed 14,200 in Los Angeles in 2022, down 3% from 2019
- Machinery manufacturing firms in LA numbered 650 in 2021, with $2.9 billion in shipments
- Electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing supported 9,800 jobs in LA County in 2023
- Beverage and tobacco product manufacturing output in LA reached $2.4 billion in 2022 from 120 firms
- Wood product manufacturing had 280 establishments in LA, employing 4,200 in 2021
- Primary metal manufacturing employed 5,600 in Los Angeles in 2022, with high unionization rates
- Miscellaneous manufacturing subsector included 950 firms in LA, producing toys and sporting goods worth $1.8 billion
- Paper manufacturing in LA County had 150 establishments, generating $900 million in 2021 shipments
- Textile mills and textile product mills combined for 2,200 jobs in LA in 2023, focused on technical textiles
- Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing employed 6,300 in Los Angeles in 2022
- Petroleum and coal products manufacturing contributed $5.1 billion from 40 refineries in LA area in 2021
- Leather and allied product manufacturing had only 50 firms but $250 million output in LA 2022
- Biotechnology manufacturing within pharma grew to 12,000 jobs in LA by 2023
- Automotive parts manufacturing employed 7,900 in LA County in 2022
- Ship and boat building subsector had 1,200 jobs in LA ports area in 2023
- Jewelry and silverware manufacturing generated $1.2 billion from 800 firms in LA 2021
- Cutlery and handtool manufacturing employed 2,100 in Los Angeles in 2022
- Ventilation, heating, air-conditioning manufacturing had 3,400 jobs in LA 2023
- Battery manufacturing output in LA reached $850 million in 2022 amid EV boom
Industry Sectors Interpretation
Los Angeles manufacturing is a vast, stylish, and ingenious tapestry, where you’re statistically more likely to be sewing the latest trend, building a spaceship, or brewing a craft beer than doing anything else, proving the city makes everything from haute couture to rocket parts with equal flair.
Production Metrics
- In 2022, LA manufacturing shipments totaled $145.6 billion, with a 4.1% increase from 2021 driven by aerospace recovery
- Capacity utilization in LA manufacturing averaged 78.2% in 2023, highest since 2018
- Apparel production in LA manufactured 120 million garments in 2022, valued at $6.8 billion wholesale
- Aerospace parts output from LA firms reached 45,000 units in 2023, including 12,000 for commercial jets
- Food processing plants in LA produced 2.1 billion pounds of goods in 2022
- Furniture manufacturing output value was $4.2 billion in LA County in 2021, with 1.8 million pieces produced
- Metal fabrication shops in LA produced 1.2 million tons of products in 2022
- Medical device production in LA hit 8.7 million units in 2023, exported to 45 countries
- Plastics product manufacturing yielded 950,000 tons in LA in 2022
- Semiconductor wafer fabrication in LA produced 2.4 million wafers equivalent in 2023
- Beverage bottling lines in LA filled 1.5 billion liters in 2022
- Chemical batch production in LA totaled 450,000 metric tons of specialty chemicals in 2021
- Printed materials output from LA presses reached 12 billion pages in 2022
- Machinery assembly in LA completed 28,000 units in 2023
- Electrical component production hit 150 million pieces in LA County 2022
- Inventory turnover ratio for LA manufacturing averaged 5.2 times per year in 2023
- Energy consumption for production in LA manufacturing was 45.2 billion kWh in 2022
- Waste generation from LA manufacturing totaled 2.8 million tons in 2021, with 65% recycled
- LA manufacturing new orders index rose 7.3% to 112.4 in 2023
- Hours worked in production reached 1.2 billion in LA manufacturing 2022
- Yield rates in LA advanced manufacturing averaged 96.8% in 2023, up from 94.2% in 2020
- Container throughput for manufactured goods at LA ports was 9.2 million TEUs in 2022
- Automation adoption led to 28% increase in units per labor hour in LA manufacturing from 2019-2023
- Custom fabrication orders in LA metal sector numbered 45,000 in 2022
- Biopharma production batches in LA totaled 1,800 in 2023
- LA manufacturing defect rate dropped to 1.2% in 2022 from 2.1% in 2019
- Raw material input for LA manufacturing was 15.4 million tons in 2021
- On-time delivery rate for LA manufacturers was 92.4% in 2023
Production Metrics Interpretation
While flying high on aerospace recovery, LA's factories aren't just making mountains of everything from burritos to biopharma—they're getting impressively smarter and leaner, squeezing out more perfect widgets while barely keeping up with our insatiable appetite for stuff.
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