For millions of workers around the world, factory and manufacturing jobs in the United States and United Kingdom represent a gateway to better earnings, stable employment, and a new life abroad, You can earn as much as $87,000 and £70,000. Both countries face persistent labour shortages in their manufacturing and industrial sectors, which has opened the door to foreign nationals through structured visa sponsorship programmes. Whether you are a machine operator, welder, assembler, or production line supervisor, there are genuine pathways to legally work in these countries — and in many cases, employers are willing to sponsor your visa to get the skilled hands they need.
Quick wage highlights:
|
Role |
USA (Annual) |
UK (Annual) |
|
Production Line Worker |
$29000–$44000 |
£22000–£31000 |
|
Machine Operator |
$37000–$58000 |
£25000–£39000 |
|
Welder/Fabricator |
$42000–$73000 |
£29000–£49000 |
|
CNC Machinist |
$46000–$79000 |
£31000–£55000 |
|
Production Supervisor |
$58000–$100000 |
£39000–£68000 |
Factory Jobs in the USA With Visa Sponsorship
The State of US Manufacturing
The United States manufacturing sector employs over 12 million workers and contributes trillions of dollars to the national economy each year. Despite advances in automation, human labour remains essential across food processing, automotive assembly, electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and heavy industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently reports unfilled positions in production and manufacturing occupations, particularly in states like Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, and Indiana.
American employers who cannot fill roles domestically may petition for foreign workers through various visa channels. This process, known as visa sponsorship, requires the employer to demonstrate a genuine need, cover filing fees, and in some cases prove that no qualified American worker was available for the role.
Key Visa Categories for Factory Workers in the USA
H-2B Visa (Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers) The H-2B visa is the most common route for factory and manufacturing workers seeking temporary employment in the US. It allows employers to hire foreign nationals for seasonal or peak-load positions that last up to one year, with possible extensions up to three years. Employers must obtain labour certification from the Department of Labor before sponsoring a worker. Industries that frequently use H-2B sponsorship include food processing plants, fish canneries, lumber mills, and textile factories.
H-1B Visa (Speciality Occupations) While typically associated with tech and professional roles, the H-1B visa can apply to highly specialised manufacturing engineers, quality assurance managers, and industrial technologists. Factory workers with specialised qualifications in advanced manufacturing, robotics, or CNC programming may qualify under this category.
EB-3 Immigrant Visa (Skilled and Unskilled Workers) For those seeking permanent residency, the EB-3 visa is the primary green card pathway for factory and production workers. It covers skilled workers (who need at least two years of training), unskilled workers (requiring less than two years of experience), and professionals. The sponsoring employer must complete a PERM Labour Certification, demonstrating that no US workers are available for the role. Processing times can be lengthy — sometimes several years — but it offers a permanent pathway to living and working in the USA.
TN Visa (USMCA — for Canadians and Mexicans) Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, citizens of Canada and Mexico may be eligible for TN status in certain professional and technical manufacturing roles.
Industries Sponsoring Factory Workers in the USA
Some of the most active sectors for visa sponsorship in manufacturing include:
- Food and Beverage Processing: Meat packing plants, seafood processors, fruit and vegetable canneries, and dairy processing facilities regularly recruit internationally.
- Automotive Manufacturing: Assembly line workers, welders, and quality control inspectors are in demand at plants in states like Michigan, Alabama, and South Carolina.
- Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing: With major investments in chip manufacturing under the CHIPS Act, states like Arizona, Ohio, and New York are seeing surges in factory hiring.
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices: Clean room operators, laboratory technicians, and production staff are sought by companies with facilities across New Jersey, Indiana, and California.
- Construction Materials and Lumber: Mills and fabrication plants in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast often sponsor workers through the H-2B programme.
USA Factory Job Wage Breakdown
Wages for factory workers in the USA vary significantly depending on the role, industry, geographic location, and level of experience. The federal minimum wage stands at $7.25 per hour, but most states and municipalities have higher minimums, and manufacturing wages typically exceed these floors.
Below are wage breakdowns for common factory roles, assuming a standard 40-hour working week:
General Assembly / Production Line Worker (Entry Level)
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $14.00 | $17.50 | $21.00 |
| Per Week | $560 | $700 | $840 |
| Per Month | $2,427 | $3,033 | $3,640 |
| Per Year | $29,120 | $36,400 | $43,680 |
Machine Operator (Mid Level)
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $18.00 | $22.00 | $28.00 |
| Per Week | $720 | $880 | $1,120 |
| Per Month | $3,120 | $3,813 | $4,853 |
| Per Year | $37,440 | $45,760 | $58,240 |
Welder / Fabricator
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $20.00 | $26.00 | $35.00 |
| Per Week | $800 | $1,040 | $1,400 |
| Per Month | $3,467 | $4,507 | $6,067 |
| Per Year | $41,600 | $54,080 | $72,800 |
CNC Operator / Machinist
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $22.00 | $28.00 | $38.00 |
| Per Week | $880 | $1,120 | $1,520 |
| Per Month | $3,813 | $4,853 | $6,587 |
| Per Year | $45,760 | $58,240 | $79,040 |
Warehouse / Forklift Operator
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $16.00 | $20.00 | $26.00 |
| Per Week | $640 | $800 | $1,040 |
| Per Month | $2,773 | $3,467 | $4,507 |
| Per Year | $33,280 | $41,600 | $54,080 |
Production Supervisor / Shift Manager
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | $28.00 | $36.00 | $48.00 |
| Per Week | $1,120 | $1,440 | $1,920 |
| Per Month | $4,853 | $6,240 | $8,320 |
| Per Year | $58,240 | $74,880 | $99,840 |
Note: These figures represent gross pre-tax wages. Workers in the USA are subject to federal income tax, Social Security tax (6.2%), and Medicare tax (1.45%), as well as any applicable state income taxes. Many factory employers also offer overtime pay at 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 per week, which can significantly boost annual earnings.
Factory Jobs in the UK With Visa Sponsorship
The State of UK Manufacturing
The United Kingdom’s manufacturing sector employs approximately 2.7 million people and accounts for around 10% of the country’s economic output. Key industries include food and drink production, automotive manufacturing (particularly in the Midlands and North East), aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and chemical processing. Following Brexit, EU workers no longer have automatic right to work in the UK, which created significant labour shortages in factories, food processing plants, and warehouses. This has made UK employers increasingly willing to sponsor workers from countries outside the European Economic Area — and in some cases from anywhere in the world.
Key Visa Categories for Factory Workers in the UK
Skilled Worker Visa The Skilled Worker Visa is the primary route for most factory and manufacturing workers seeking employment in the UK. It replaced the old Tier 2 (General) visa after Brexit. To qualify, a worker must:
- Have a confirmed job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor
- Be in a role on the eligible occupation list (many manufacturing roles qualify)
- Meet a salary threshold — currently a general minimum of £26,200 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher
- Demonstrate English language proficiency
Employers who hold a Sponsorship Licence can issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to the overseas worker, which forms the basis of the visa application.
Temporary Worker — Seasonal Worker Visa For food processing and agricultural-related factory work, the Seasonal Worker Visa allows workers to come to the UK for up to six months. Several government-approved operators facilitate placements at food factories, packing facilities, and processing plants.
Scale-up Worker Visa High-growth UK companies with a track record of rapid scaling can sponsor workers under this route with fewer restrictions on switching employers.
Industries Sponsoring Factory Workers in the UK
- Food and Drink Manufacturing: One of the UK’s largest manufacturing sectors, with persistent vacancies at facilities run by major supermarket suppliers, ready meal manufacturers, meat processors, and bakeries.
- Automotive: Brands like Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan (Sunderland), Mini, and Toyota have major UK plants and regularly hire skilled production workers.
- Pharmaceuticals: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, and numerous contract manufacturers maintain large UK facilities requiring skilled operators.
- Aerospace and Defence: Companies such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, and Airbus UK employ tens of thousands of skilled factory workers.
- Logistics and Warehousing: Distribution centres operated by Amazon, DHL, Asda, and Tesco frequently hire pickers, packers, and forklift operators.
UK Factory Job Wage Breakdown
UK wages are typically quoted as annual salaries or hourly rates. The national minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over (called the National Living Wage) was set at £11.44 per hour from April 2024, with further uplifts expected. Factory wages generally sit above this floor, especially for skilled roles.
Figures below assume a 37.5 to 40-hour working week, which is standard in UK manufacturing:
General Assembly / Production Line Worker (Entry Level)
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | £11.50 | £13.50 | £16.00 |
| Per Week | £431 | £506 | £600 |
| Per Month | £1,869 | £2,194 | £2,600 |
| Per Year | £22,425 | £26,325 | £31,200 |
Machine Operator (Mid Level)
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | £13.00 | £16.00 | £20.00 |
| Per Week | £487 | £600 | £750 |
| Per Month | £2,113 | £2,600 | £3,250 |
| Per Year | £25,350 | £31,200 | £39,000 |
Welder / Fabricator
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | £15.00 | £19.00 | £25.00 |
| Per Week | £562 | £712 | £937 |
| Per Month | £2,438 | £3,088 | £4,063 |
| Per Year | £29,250 | £37,050 | £48,750 |
CNC Operator / Machinist
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | £16.00 | £21.00 | £28.00 |
| Per Week | £600 | £787 | £1,050 |
| Per Month | £2,600 | £3,413 | £4,550 |
| Per Year | £31,200 | £40,950 | £54,600 |
Warehouse / Forklift Operator
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | £12.00 | £14.50 | £18.00 |
| Per Week | £450 | £543 | £675 |
| Per Month | £1,950 | £2,356 | £2,925 |
| Per Year | £23,400 | £28,275 | £35,100 |
Production Supervisor / Shift Manager
| Period | Low End | Mid Range | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Hour | £20.00 | £26.00 | £35.00 |
| Per Week | £750 | £975 | £1,312 |
| Per Month | £3,250 | £4,225 | £5,688 |
| Per Year | £39,000 | £50,700 | £68,250 |
Note: UK wages are subject to Income Tax (20% basic rate) and National Insurance contributions (8% for employees within standard thresholds). Employers in the UK also pay employer National Insurance contributions on top of the salary offered. Many UK factory roles, particularly in food processing and logistics, offer shift premiums for night shifts (typically an additional 20–30%) and weekend enhancements.
How to Find Factory Jobs With Visa Sponsorship
In the USA:
- The Department of Labor’s iCERT portal lists certified H-2B job orders
- USAJOBS and private job boards like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn often list roles where H-2B or EB-3 sponsorship is offered
- Staffing agencies that specialise in manufacturing (e.g., Manpower, Adecco, Kelly Services) often have arrangements with factories that sponsor workers
- Industry-specific job boards for food processing, automotive, and logistics sectors
In the UK:
- The UK Government’s Check if an Employer Can Sponsor You tool on GOV.UK
- The official Register of Licensed Sponsors published by the Home Office
- Job boards such as Indeed UK, Totaljobs, Reed, and CV-Library regularly list sponsored roles
- Recruitment agencies specialising in manufacturing and industrial placements
Tips for Applicants
- Get your documents in order early. Both the USA and UK require extensive documentation for visa applications, including employment history, qualifications, and identity documents. Starting the process early reduces delays.
- Check the occupation list. Both countries maintain lists of eligible occupations for their respective visa categories. Verify that your specific job title is on the relevant list before applying.
- Understand your employer’s obligations. In both countries, your sponsoring employer takes on legal responsibilities to ensure you are paid fairly, working legally, and not exploited. Know your rights.
- Research the cost of living. Wages must be considered alongside housing, transport, and daily costs. A $20/hour wage in rural Tennessee goes much further than the same wage in San Francisco or New York.
- Consider skills upgrades. Roles requiring certification — such as welding qualifications, forklift licences, or CNC programming — command significantly higher wages and are more likely to attract sponsorship.
Conclusion
Factory jobs with visa sponsorship in the USA and UK represent real, attainable opportunities for workers from around the world. Both countries are grappling with manufacturing labour shortages that are unlikely to resolve quickly, making employers increasingly open to international recruitment. Wages range from approximately $29,000 to over $99,000 annually in the USA, and from around £22,000 to £68,000 or more in the UK, depending on the role, location, and experience level. With the right skills, proper documentation, and a willingness to navigate the visa process, a factory career in either country can offer financial stability, career progression, and a pathway to long-term residency.
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