Industry in Worcester, Massachusetts

Some of the first industries in the city of Worcester were textiles, shoes, and finished clothing. A second wave of manufacturing facilities soon came on the scene to further develop Worcester into a manufacturing center. Wire and machinery were the strengths of this economic cycle.

Today, Worcester has a diversified economy. The University of Massachusetts Medical School is the largest employer, and the biotech park is host to many innovative companies, including Advanced Cell Technology, and Abbott Laboratories.

Morgan Construction and Wright Line have their headquarters in Worcester. Wright Line is a manufacturer of consoles and other workstations for 911/emergency operations centers, server enclosures and racks for data centers, office and computer lab furniture. Morgan Construction is a manufacturer of steel rolling mills. Saint-Gobain also has a substantial presence in Worcester following its 1990 purchase of the Norton Abrasives, a 100+ year old manufacturer of abrasives, ceramics, and specialty materials. Polar Beverages is also located in the city.

In the financial sector, Hanover Insurance maintains their national headquarters in the city. A subsidiary of Unum (formerly UnumProvident), the Paul Revere Life Insurance Company, is also headquartered in Worcester as is the Harleysville Worcester Insurance Company, the oldest insurance company based in Massachusetts.

The median household income is $35,623, and the median family income is $42,988.