Biofuels Production Managers

SOC code 11-3051 · O*NET-SOC 11-3051.03 · Considerable preparation needed

Biofuels Production Managers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$126,060

a year

Hourly

$60.61

per hour

10th$78,000Median$126,06090th$205,520

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$134,170

$64.50 per hour

Middle 50%

$98,160 – $161,880

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$78,000 – $205,520

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

246,250

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Industrial Production Managers”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $78,000; $37.50/hr
25th percentile: $98,160; $47.19/hr
Median percentile: $126,060; $60.61/hr
75th percentile: $161,880; $77.83/hr
90th percentile: $205,520; $98.81/hr

Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34

+2%

Growing about as fast as average

241,900

jobs in 2024

246,500

projected for 2034

About 4,600 more jobs

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.

What does a biofuels production manager do?

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Supervise production employees in the manufacturing of biofuels, such as biodiesel or ethanol.
Manage operations at biofuels power generation facilities, including production, shipping, maintenance, or quality assurance activities.
Provide direction to employees to ensure compliance with biofuels plant safety, environmental, or operational standards and regulations.
Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting biofuels plant safety, operational efficiency, and product quality.
Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels or to identify abnormalities with biofuels production equipment or processes.
Monitor meters, flow gauges, or other real-time data to ensure proper operation of biofuels production equipment, implementing corrective measures as needed.
Adjust temperature, pressure, vacuum, level, flow rate, or transfer of biofuels to maintain processes at required levels.
Provide training to subordinate or new employees to improve biofuels plant safety or increase the production of biofuels.

How to become a biofuels production manager

Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 45% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

See all zone 4 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Bachelor's Degree45%
Some College Courses19%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree15%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)14%

Common questions

How much does a biofuels production manager earn?

The national median is $126,060 a year. The full range runs from $78,000 at the 10th percentile to $205,520 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a biofuels production manager without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Is biofuels production manager in demand?

Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 2% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Reading Comprehension3.9/5
Critical Thinking3.9/5
Active Listening3.8/5
Monitoring3.8/5
Speaking3.6/5
Writing3.5/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing4.7/5
Administration and Management4.1/5
Mechanical4.0/5
Engineering and Technology3.7/5
Chemistry3.7/5
Mathematics3.5/5
Computers and Electronics3.3/5
Personnel and Human Resources3.3/5

Transferable strengths: Management of Personnel Resources, Coordination, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.