How much did the U.S. plastics industry generate in 2025?

U.S. plastics manufacturing generated $533.6 billion in shipments during 2025. When suppliers and related plastics activities are included, the sector's combined shipments reached approximately $715.8 billion.

How many jobs does the U.S. plastics industry support?

Plastics manufacturing directly supported about 1.05 million jobs in 2025. Including suppliers and other related activities, the broader plastics-related economy supported approximately 1.66 million jobs.

Which states have the largest plastics manufacturing workforces?

Texas ranked first with approximately 91,600 plastics manufacturing workers in 2025. Ohio followed with 77,500 workers, while Michigan ranked third with about 69,000 employees.

U.S. Plastics Industry Supports 1M+ Jobs, Generates $533.6B

Plastic Recycling | 2026-09-22 07:03:58

Furthermore, the report noted that plastics have outperformed overall manufacturing over nearly three decades.

By Paul Ploumis

U.S. Plastics Industry Supports 1M+ Jobs, Generates $533.6B

Summary

Plastics Industry Generates $533.6 Billion in Shipments
The U.S. plastics manufacturing industry recorded $533.6 billion in shipments in 2025 while directly supporting 1.05 million jobs. Including suppliers and related activities, the broader plastics sector generated $715.8 billion in combined shipments and supported about 1.66 million jobs.
Plastics Employment Outpaces Overall Manufacturing
Plastics manufacturing employment grew at an average annual rate of 0.8% between 2015 and 2025, compared with 0.3% for the overall U.S. manufacturing sector. The industry has maintained stronger employment performance over an extended period.
Texas Leads U.S. Plastics Manufacturing Employment
Plastics manufacturing maintains operations across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas had the largest plastics manufacturing workforce in 2025 with 91,600 workers, followed by Ohio with 77,500 and Michigan with 69,000.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The U.S. plastics industry generated $533.6 billion in shipments and supported 1.05 million jobs in 2025, according to the latest Size and Impact Report from the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). The data highlights the continued importance of the industry to the country’s manufacturing economy.

Plastics-related activity, by including suppliers, supported approximately 1.66 million jobs and generated combined shipments of $715.8 billion.

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Employment in plastics manufacturing also expanded faster during the past decade, upon comparison with the overall U.S. manufacturing industry. Between 2015 and 2025, plastics manufacturing employment increased at an average annual rate of 0.8%, compared with 0.3% for the entire manufacturing industry. Furthermore, the report noted that plastics have outperformed overall manufacturing over nearly three decades.

The industry maintained a nationwide presence, operating across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Texas led the country with 91,600 plastics manufacturing workers in 2025, followed by Ohio with 77,500 and Michigan with 69,000. Based on the latest available data, plastic products manufacturing ranked as the eighth-largest U.S. manufacturing sector by gross output.

According to the association, the sustained demand for plastics has been driven by the material’s extensive use in healthcare, transportation, food packaging, infrastructure, and industrial applications.

POLL

What is the biggest indicator of the U.S. plastics industry's economic impact in 2025?

$533.6 billion in manufacturing shipments

1.05 million direct jobs

$715.8 billion in broader plastics-related shipments

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did the U.S. plastics industry generate in 2025?
U.S. plastics manufacturing generated $533.6 billion in shipments during 2025. When suppliers and related plastics activities are included, the sector's combined shipments reached approximately $715.8 billion.
How many jobs does the U.S. plastics industry support?
Plastics manufacturing directly supported about 1.05 million jobs in 2025. Including suppliers and other related activities, the broader plastics-related economy supported approximately 1.66 million jobs.
Which states have the largest plastics manufacturing workforces?
Texas ranked first with approximately 91,600 plastics manufacturing workers in 2025. Ohio followed with 77,500 workers, while Michigan ranked third with about 69,000 employees.