In an absorption costing income statement, the manufacturing margin is the excess of sales over the variable cost of goods sold.

Manufacturing Margin

The difference between the cost of manufacturing the product and the price it is sold for, indicating the profitability of production.

Variable Cost

Costs that change in proportion to the level of activity or volume of production in a company.

Absorption Costing

The reporting of the costs of manufactured products, normally direct materials, direct labor, and factory overhead, as product costs.