What First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers this way: "Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system operators. Excludes team or work leaders."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Enforce safety and sanitation regulations"; "Direct and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as inspectors, machine setters, or fabricators"; "Read and analyze charts, work orders, production schedules, and other records and reports to determine production requirements and to evaluate current production estimates and outputs"; "Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments"; "Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals".
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 less than 5 years.
Job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 679,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 692,300 in 2035, an increase of 12,400 jobs (+1.8%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 61,000 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 9.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $74,450, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn the most
Across the 15 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $70,339 in Georgia to $81,850 in New Hampshire, a gap of $11,511 (1.16 times). 11 of those 15 states average above the BLS national median of $74,450 and 4 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 57,850, which is 12.9% of the 449,330 counted across them. Indiana follows with 54,910.
Highest-paying states
New Hampshire ($81,850), New Jersey ($80,726) and Massachusetts ($80,514) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($70,339) and Texas ($70,793) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 17 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 Harris County, TX (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX) at $39,346. The smallest margin is $19,848 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 17 of the 17 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 23.5% and 52.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Frequently asked questions about First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
How much do First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $74,450. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $70,339 to $81,850.
Which state pays First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers the most?
New Hampshire, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $81,850. New Jersey is next at $80,726.
Is First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 1.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 61,000 openings a year.
What education do First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.
Where can First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Harris County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $39,346 on a median wage of $75,330.