This paper examines the role of exporters in U.S. manufacturing from 1976 to 1987, focusing on their characteristics, performance, and impact on the labor market. Using plant-level data from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM), the study finds that exporters are significantly larger, more productive, and pay higher wages than non-exporters. Exporters account for over 50% of total shipments and 40% of total employment in both 1976 and 1987, despite making up only 10.4% and 14.6% of manufacturing plants, respectively. Exporters are more capital-intensive and have higher labor productivity, with production workers in exporting plants earning 3429 more than non-exporting plants of the same size. Non-production workers also earn significantly more in exporting plants. The study also finds that exporters exhibit better short-term growth than non-exporters, but long-term performance is conditional on the exporting status of the plant. Plants that become exporters grow the most, while plants that cease exporting exhibit poor relative performance. The results suggest that exporting is associated with success, but when controlling for plant attributes associated with exporting, the performance differences between exporters and non-exporters decrease. The paper also examines the wage premia for exporters, finding that they pay higher wages than non-exporters, both in terms of wages and benefits. The wage premium is significant even after controlling for plant characteristics, industry, and location. The study finds that exporters are more likely to be part of larger firms and have higher capital intensity. The results suggest that exporting is associated with higher wages and productivity, but the relationship is complex and influenced by various factors such as plant size, industry, and location. The paper concludes that exporters play a significant role in the U.S. manufacturing sector, contributing to economic growth and employment. However, the long-term performance of exporters is conditional on their continued participation in the export market. The study provides evidence that exporting is associated with success, but the relationship is not straightforward and is influenced by various factors. The findings have important implications for trade policy and the role of exporters in the U.S. economy.This paper examines the role of exporters in U.S. manufacturing from 1976 to 1987, focusing on their characteristics, performance, and impact on the labor market. Using plant-level data from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM), the study finds that exporters are significantly larger, more productive, and pay higher wages than non-exporters. Exporters account for over 50% of total shipments and 40% of total employment in both 1976 and 1987, despite making up only 10.4% and 14.6% of manufacturing plants, respectively. Exporters are more capital-intensive and have higher labor productivity, with production workers in exporting plants earning 3429 more than non-exporting plants of the same size. Non-production workers also earn significantly more in exporting plants. The study also finds that exporters exhibit better short-term growth than non-exporters, but long-term performance is conditional on the exporting status of the plant. Plants that become exporters grow the most, while plants that cease exporting exhibit poor relative performance. The results suggest that exporting is associated with success, but when controlling for plant attributes associated with exporting, the performance differences between exporters and non-exporters decrease. The paper also examines the wage premia for exporters, finding that they pay higher wages than non-exporters, both in terms of wages and benefits. The wage premium is significant even after controlling for plant characteristics, industry, and location. The study finds that exporters are more likely to be part of larger firms and have higher capital intensity. The results suggest that exporting is associated with higher wages and productivity, but the relationship is complex and influenced by various factors such as plant size, industry, and location. The paper concludes that exporters play a significant role in the U.S. manufacturing sector, contributing to economic growth and employment. However, the long-term performance of exporters is conditional on their continued participation in the export market. The study provides evidence that exporting is associated with success, but the relationship is not straightforward and is influenced by various factors. The findings have important implications for trade policy and the role of exporters in the U.S. economy.