Industry Benefits Summary

Food Manufacturing Industry- Employee Benefits Summary

The food manufacturing industry works to transform livestock and agricultural materials into processed food products. Establishments in this industry include those designated for grain milling, fruit and vegetable preserving, seafood product preparation, and dairy product manufacturing, as well as many others. The final food product is generally sold wholesale to marketplaces and retailers, but this industry also includes businesses that sell baked goods or candies made on site.

A variety of tradespeople make their living in the food manufacturing industry, bakers, meat packers, packing and filling machine operators, and food batch makers among them. Business owners need to supply quality insurance coverage to attract the best employees to keep this vital industry operating smoothly. A higher amount of physical labor can result in an increased number of workers comp claims and higher overall medical expenses, thus making quality short and long term disability plans important. Additionally, a higher percentage of males are in this industry, and this demographic tends to place importance on having access to employer sponsored healthcare and 401K match benefits.

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The Food Manufacturing Industry Employment Summary

As of January 2021, there were 37,000 food manufacturing plants across the country, employing over 1.76 million employees. Companies in this industry are mid-sized, with each one having an average of 48 employees. This is a male-dominated industry, with 38% of employees identifying as female, and the median employee age is 43 years old.

Food Manufacturing Industry Benefits Comparison

91%

What percent of food manufacturers offer medical insurance?

  • 91% offer their employees access to medical insurance. This is well above the national average of 69%.
  • These employers provide an average monthly employer premium of $1,234 for family coverage. This is above the national average of $1,121.
  • Additionally, these businesses provide an average monthly employer premium of $452 for individual coverage. This is also a bit below the national average of $458.

65%

What percentage of food manufacturers offer short and/or long-term disability insurance?

65% of food manufacturers offer short-term disability insurance, and 49% provide a long-term disability option. The national average for these metrics is 42% and 34%, respectively.

81%

What percent of food manufacturers offer life insurance?

81% offer access to life insurance coverage. This is well above the national average of 56%.

18%

Do food manufacturers provide access to paid family leave?

  • 18% provide access to paid family leave, which is slightly below the national average of 20%.
  • 92% provide access to unpaid family leave, which is above the national average of 88%.
  • 33% offer consolidated leave plans, which is also slightly below the national average of 44%.

Summary

Generally speaking, the food manufacturing industry is above the national average for providing comprehensive employee benefits packages. There are a few opportunities for improvement, including offering more paid family leave and consolidated leave options, as well as improving retirement benefit offerings. Once these changes are made, employers will be able to see firsthand how they can easily attract and retain top talent to their teams.

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