Abstract: Manufacturing, as an important component of the national economy, plays a crucial role in promoting the return of labor. This article is based on the 2016 China Labor Force Dynamic Survey data and relevant data such as the China Urban Statistical Yearbook. Using the probit model and instrumental variable method, it examines the impact of the development level of the manufacturing industry on labor force return and its underlying mechanisms. Research findings show that: first, the development of the manufacturing industry has a significant positive impact on the return of labor. After replacing explanatory variables, changing models, adding provincial control variables, and adopting more robust clustering standard errors, the research conclusions remained unchanged. Secondly, the development of the manufacturing industry promotes the return of labor by improving the living and employment environment. Thirdly, in the process of attracting labor force to return to the manufacturing industry, younger and older labor force are more attracted, while non-agricultural employment, entrepreneurial and migrant labor force are more likely to return. Therefore, promoting the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry, providing better living and employment environments for migrant workers, attracting more higher-quality labor to return, advancing the development of county-level economies, and achieving coordinated urbanrural development and common prosperity carry significant practical implications.