The U.S. is the second largest manufacturing country in the world. This is due to its policies and regulations, transportation, infrastructure and innovation, cost considerations, and workforce. In 2025, the U.S. total manufacturing value-added output reached a record $2.95 trillion. The U.S. exported $1.65 trillion in manufactured goods, accounting for roughly 75% of all U.S. goods exported.

These figures reflect a sharp recovery following global supply chain shocks. Out of those manufacturing exports, small businesses exported nearly 97% of those goods. The top markets for exports are Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The products that are produced most in the U.S. are chemical products, computer and electronic products, food and beverage, transportation equipment (motor vehicles and parts), and fabricated metal products.

Heading into 2026, manufacturing accounts for 12.6 million jobs or 8.0% of the total U.S. employment rate, with an output that makes up 9.5% of GDP for the country. The Midwest and the South are the regions where manufacturing is the most prominent, accounting for the vast majority of the top 50 cities for manufacturing in the U.S. Many of them are small towns, such as Indiana’s Elkhart, Columbus, and Kokomo, but still manage to be national leaders. These three towns alone continue to drive massive regional economic output.

Among the large cities (500,000 or more residents), San Jose, California remains a top exporting large city with a massive manufacturing output driven by technology and innovation. Other large cities that are manufacturing leaders are Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wichita, Kansas, Toledo, Ohio, Durham, North Carolina, and Ogden, Utah.

Among the large cities (500,000 or more residents), San Jose, California was the top exporting large city which had a manufacturing output of over $34 billion in 2019. Other large cities that are manufacturing leaders are Grand Rapids, Michigan, Wichita, Kansas, Toledo, Ohio, Durham, North Carolina, and Ogden, Utah.