Manufacturing (from Latin manu factura, "making by hand") is the use of tools and labor to make things for use or sale. The term may refer to a vast range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale.

Manufacturing jobs are those involved with the production of new products from raw materials or from components. Manufacturing jobs are usually in a factory, plant or mill but can also be in a home, as long as products, not services, are created. Manufacturing jobs include fish processing, water bottling and milk pasteurization. Manufacturingjobs are not involved in book publishing, logging, mining or construction, even though products are created by these jobs. (Source: U.S. Census, NAICS)