Not only does it pay more than service industries but the rates of productivity growth are higher and the potential of new industry arising is far greater. From adding machines came calculators and computers. From the electric typewriter came the word processor. Research and development follows manufacturing. I would go a step farther.
Manufacturing produces wealth.
Service industries do not. Consumables are temporal, while manufactured items have lasting value. Family government, eloquently espoused by Chalcedon and Andrew Sandlin, requires time and organization. Loss of industries and the technology. Disruption of families and society.