The growing importance of laser material processing technologies in various industries, expanding application areas, and decreasing costs of laser systems make this technology critically important. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the advances, applications and impacts of laser technology in manufacturing, with a particular focus on laser surface treatment, welding, cutting, drilling and cladding. Academic research in this area is leading to the development of innovative manufacturing techniques aimed at improving product quality, designing multi-material components and supporting economic benefits. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate and optimize the effects of lasers on materials, leading to significant advances in laser materials processing. Key findings highlight the importance of laser surface treatment in enhancing material properties, the versatility and precision provided by laser welding, the advantages of non-contact machining, the high speed and flexibility of laser cutting, and the capacity of laser drilling to effectively process hard and high-strength materials. Furthermore, it is critical to carefully determine the appropriate laser parameters to achieve the desired mechanical properties in laser-processed materials. Ongoing research is directed toward further understanding laser-material interactions and improving laser processing techniques. In brief, laser material processing technologies continue to play an important role in improving manufacturing processes and enhancing product quality.