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.
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
SOC: 51-1011 O*NET: 51-1011.00
Median Salary
$71,190
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
67.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
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.
What does a First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,790
10th percentile
Early Career
$56,330
25th percentile
Median
$71,190
50th percentile
Experienced
$86,770
75th percentile
Top Earners
$106,960
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,790
25th
$56,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$71,190
Mean: $74,540
75th
$86,770
90th
$106,960
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $61,170 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $56,330 and $86,770
- •Salary spread is 42.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 685,140 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:698,600
Top Industries
Manufacturing72.6%
Food Manufacturing10.2%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing10.1%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:67,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)698,600
Current
2034 (Projected)706,900
+1.2%
+8,300
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
58,900 jobs$65,1900.96x
California
51,710 jobs$75,2500.64x
Illinois
32,330 jobs$69,9601.20x
Ohio
31,660 jobs$67,9801.29x
Pennsylvania
28,880 jobs$73,0401.08x
Florida
28,420 jobs$61,4100.65x
Michigan
28,050 jobs$67,4501.44x
Georgia
25,970 jobs$66,2601.20x
Indiana
25,830 jobs$66,9701.82x
Wisconsin
25,660 jobs$74,1101.98x
North Carolina
22,650 jobs$66,6401.04x
New York
21,230 jobs$77,2100.50x
Alabama
19,370 jobs$67,2102.08x
Tennessee
18,810 jobs$63,1401.29x
Missouri
15,550 jobs$71,7901.20x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Time Management
86%
#4
Management of Personnel Resources
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Critical Thinking
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Monitoring
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Time Management
intermediate4.3
86%
Management of Personnel Resources
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Monitoring
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Management of Personnel Resources
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Recycling Coordinators100%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers100%
5 shared skills
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors82%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers82%
5 shared skills
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Monitoring
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Time Management
- ✓Management of Personnel Resources
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechApple Safari
🔥 Hot TechMozilla Firefox
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Project
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Access
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
SAP software
Apple Safari
Mozilla Firefox
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
20
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (8)Communication & Coordination (2)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Planning & Development (2)Management & Supervision (2)Operations & Execution (1)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Direct and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as inspectors, machine setters, or fabricators.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination97% perform98%
3
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination91% perform94%
5
Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Observe work and monitor gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that operators conform to production or processing standards.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Confer with management or subordinates to resolve worker problems, complaints, or grievances.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Interpret specifications, blueprints, job orders, and company policies and procedures for workers.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Maintain operations data, such as time, production, and cost records, and prepare management reports of production results.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •35% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers professionals typically have a ECR Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.48
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Leadership
Very ImportantLeadership
Importance Level4.44
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.29
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.27
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.25
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Leadership
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Initiative
4.3
Integrity
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.2
Independence
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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