What First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers this way: "Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Read specifications, such as blueprints, to determine construction requirements or to plan procedures"; "Estimate material or worker requirements to complete jobs"; "Supervise, coordinate, or schedule the activities of construction or extractive workers"; "Confer with managerial or technical personnel, other departments, or contractors to resolve problems or to coordinate activities"; "Coordinate work activities with other construction project activities".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more.
Job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 913,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 959,400 in 2035, an increase of 46,100 jobs (+5%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 67,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 11.2% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $79,920, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn the most
Across the 23 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $73,809 in Texas to $114,369 in Washington, a gap of $40,560 (1.55 times). 16 of those 23 states average above the BLS national median of $79,920 and 7 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 87,340, which is 11.8% of the 741,230 counted across them. California follows with 70,340.
Highest-paying states
Washington ($114,369), Illinois ($102,377) and New Jersey ($101,299) lead the ranking, while Texas ($73,809) and North Carolina ($75,652) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 31 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $62,619. The smallest margin is $29,076 in District of Columbia, DC.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 31 of the 31 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 16.9% and 42.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Frequently asked questions about First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
How much do First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $79,920. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $73,809 to $114,369.
Which state pays First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers the most?
Washington, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $114,369. Illinois is next at $102,377.
Is First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 5% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 67,000 openings a year.
What education do First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more, according to BLS.
Where can First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $62,619 on a median wage of $111,260.