This is the main finding of research carried out by PSHPC, one of the UK's leading health and protection advisers.
The research found that average life assurance for professionals is £232,000 a year at a cost of £210 per person, while the average for individuals in manufacturing is only £113,000 a year at a cost of £180.
PSHPC consultant Paul White (pictured) said: "There are several reasons, based on actuarial risk calculations, why the cost of group life assurance for manufacturing employees is relatively expensive compared to their professional services contemporaries.
"One is that manufacturing plants tend to be in areas of the country where life expectancies are somewhat lower, in contrast to areas where professional services employees are more likely to live.
"Secondly, manufacturing jobs are more likely to involve work which may cause health problems, such as musculo-skeletal issues; and even in some case fatalities through industrial accidents."
However, manufacturing employees are still better off than those in retail, leisure and hotels, who receive an average life assurance benefit of just £45,000 a year.
When it comes to group income protection (GIP) benefits, those employed in manufacturing are also at a disadvantage compared with professional services. White said: "Not only is GIP less frequently given to those in manufacturing than to those in professional services, it is also rarely provided on a universal or democratic basis, tending to be limited to managers and those in more senior positions."
He added: "Also, like life assurance, the cost of the benefit is very similar for employees in manufacturing as for those in professional services, despite the fact that those in the latter have far higher average salaries. This is again because there are lifestyle and occupational factors with manufacturing workers - the likelihood of an unskilled labourer suffering a long-term disability at any given age could be three or four times greater than a professional employee."
The PSHPC research defines 'professionals' as professions requiring professional qualifications, such as lawyers, senior bankers and senior positions in insurance.
