How much does a first-line supervisor of mechanics make?
The median first-line supervisor of mechanics in the United States earns $78,300 per year, about $37.64 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 49-1011.
First-line supervisor of mechanics salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,460 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $124,280. The average (mean) wage of $82,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,460 | $23.30 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,240 | $29.44 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,300 | $37.64 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,630 | $47.90 | |
| 90th percentile | $124,280 | $59.75 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (SOC 49-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
First-line supervisor of mechanics salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of mechanics earn the most in Alaska at $99,030 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $67,590. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $99,030 | 2,190 |
| District of Columbia | $93,170 | 970 |
| Washington | $92,820 | 14,640 |
| California | $89,880 | 51,520 |
| New Jersey | $88,120 | 14,130 |
| Connecticut | $87,850 | 6,080 |
| Massachusetts | $86,780 | 12,790 |
| Hawaii | $86,460 | 3,110 |
| North Dakota | $85,380 | 1,820 |
| Wyoming | $85,080 | 2,110 |
| New York | $85,000 | 27,180 |
| Minnesota | $84,410 | 9,140 |
| Delaware | $83,200 | 1,900 |
| New Hampshire | $82,800 | 3,000 |
| Illinois | $82,680 | 18,120 |
| Colorado | $81,450 | 13,210 |
| Oregon | $81,290 | 7,190 |
| Maryland | $81,200 | 9,760 |
| Wisconsin | $80,670 | 11,110 |
| Virginia | $80,650 | 16,970 |
| Vermont | $80,330 | 740 |
| Rhode Island | $80,100 | 1,640 |
| Indiana | $79,530 | 13,160 |
| South Dakota | $79,320 | 1,660 |
| Iowa | $77,980 | 5,860 |
| Ohio | $77,430 | 19,620 |
| Utah | $77,380 | 6,410 |
| Michigan | $77,340 | 15,970 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,340 | 21,750 |
| Nevada | $76,910 | 5,320 |
| Maine | $76,720 | 2,750 |
| Kansas | $76,380 | 6,750 |
| Nebraska | $76,030 | 4,440 |
| Montana | $75,960 | 2,670 |
| Missouri | $75,160 | 10,170 |
| Georgia | $75,120 | 23,480 |
| Texas | $75,050 | 68,540 |
| Idaho | $74,740 | 3,630 |
| South Carolina | $74,360 | 9,060 |
| Tennessee | $73,910 | 13,130 |
| Arizona | $73,760 | 12,140 |
| North Carolina | $73,730 | 21,050 |
| New Mexico | $73,680 | 3,550 |
| Kentucky | $73,070 | 9,780 |
| Alabama | $73,020 | 12,790 |
| Oklahoma | $72,920 | 9,410 |
| Florida | $72,280 | 40,290 |
| Louisiana | $71,970 | 9,960 |
| Mississippi | $68,440 | 6,820 |
| West Virginia | $67,850 | 3,930 |
| Arkansas | $67,590 | 7,090 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (SOC 49-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of mechanics
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of mechanics to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 629,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 654,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 48,900 openings a year for first-line supervisors of mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of mechanics
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of mechanics is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of mechanics earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $99,030) and the lowest (Arkansas, $67,590) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 600,680 people work as first-line supervisors of mechanics in the United States. At $78,300 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of mechanics salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of mechanics make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of mechanics is $37.64. The middle half of first-line supervisors of mechanics earn between $29.44 and $47.90 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of mechanics salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of mechanics earn more than $124,280 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of mechanics make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of mechanics is $78,300. The average (mean) wage of $82,930 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of mechanics a well paid job?
At $78,300 a year, a first-line supervisor of mechanics earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 600,680 people work as first-line supervisors of mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of mechanics the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of mechanics at $99,030 a year. District of Columbia ($93,170) and Washington ($92,820) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a first-line supervisor of mechanics a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of mechanics is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 48,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of mechanics?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of mechanics as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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