How much does a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers make?
The median first-line supervisor of production and operating workers in the United States earns $71,190 per year, about $34.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of production and operating workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-1011.
First-line supervisor of production and operating workers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $45,790 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $106,960. The average (mean) wage of $74,540 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 | $45,790 | $22.01 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $56,330 | $27.08 | |
| Median (50th) | $71,190 | $34.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $86,770 | $41.72 | |
| 90th percentile | $106,960 | $51.42 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers (SOC 51-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
First-line supervisor of production and operating workers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of production and operating workers earn the most in Wyoming at $88,060 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $61,110. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | $88,060 | 1,520 |
| Connecticut | $82,800 | 9,110 |
| Rhode Island | $81,000 | 2,450 |
| New Jersey | $79,350 | 14,600 |
| Colorado | $78,420 | 9,570 |
| Minnesota | $78,170 | 13,270 |
| Alaska | $77,740 | 1,150 |
| New Hampshire | $77,720 | 2,990 |
| Delaware | $77,390 | 1,450 |
| New York | $77,210 | 21,230 |
| Massachusetts | $76,980 | 13,630 |
| Louisiana | $76,710 | 9,540 |
| Washington | $76,500 | 15,410 |
| Maine | $76,220 | 2,960 |
| California | $75,250 | 51,710 |
| South Carolina | $74,950 | 13,540 |
| District of Columbia | $74,930 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $74,110 | 25,660 |
| Maryland | $73,830 | 6,440 |
| North Dakota | $73,700 | 1,650 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,040 | 28,880 |
| Arizona | $72,960 | 8,950 |
| Kansas | $72,500 | 8,260 |
| Virginia | $72,330 | 13,100 |
| Missouri | $71,790 | 15,550 |
| Vermont | $71,580 | 1,140 |
| Iowa | $71,140 | 10,630 |
| South Dakota | $70,950 | 1,900 |
| Illinois | $69,960 | 32,330 |
| Kentucky | $69,870 | 14,820 |
| Nebraska | $68,890 | 6,060 |
| Ohio | $67,980 | 31,660 |
| West Virginia | $67,800 | 3,480 |
| Michigan | $67,450 | 28,050 |
| Alabama | $67,210 | 19,370 |
| Utah | $67,050 | 8,920 |
| Indiana | $66,970 | 25,830 |
| Oregon | $66,750 | 9,030 |
| North Carolina | $66,640 | 22,650 |
| Oklahoma | $66,610 | 9,910 |
| Georgia | $66,260 | 25,970 |
| Texas | $65,190 | 58,900 |
| Montana | $65,140 | 2,010 |
| Mississippi | $64,510 | 9,580 |
| Nevada | $64,420 | 4,010 |
| Hawaii | $63,420 | 1,680 |
| Tennessee | $63,140 | 18,810 |
| Idaho | $62,530 | 3,630 |
| New Mexico | $61,740 | 2,630 |
| Florida | $61,410 | 28,420 |
| Arkansas | $61,110 | 10,910 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers (SOC 51-1011), 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 production and operating workers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of production and operating workers to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 679,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 692,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 61,000 openings a year for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers. 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 production and operating workers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers 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 production and operating workers earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Wyoming, $88,060) and the lowest (Arkansas, $61,110) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 685,140 people work as first-line supervisors of production and operating workers in the United States. At $71,190 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of production and operating workers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers is $34.23. The middle half of first-line supervisors of production and operating workers earn between $27.08 and $41.72 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of production and operating workers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of production and operating workers earn more than $106,960 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 production and operating workers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers is $71,190. The average (mean) wage of $74,540 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 production and operating workers a well paid job?
At $71,190 a year, a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 685,140 people work as first-line supervisors of production and operating workers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of production and operating workers the most?
Wyoming has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers at $88,060 a year. Connecticut ($82,800) and Rhode Island ($81,000) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of production and operating workers is projected to grow 1.8% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 61,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of production and operating workers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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