First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

SOC Code: 51-1011
Also known as:
Abattoir Supervisor, Abrasive and Polished Products Supervisor, Acid Supervisor, Aerosol Supervisor, Aging Department Supervisor
Median Annual Salary
$71,190
+1.2% growth (2024-2034)
68K
Openings/Year
699K
Current Jobs

What First-line supervisors of production and operating workers Do

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.

💰 Salary

$71,190
Median annual wage (2024)

📈 Job Growth

+1.2%
As fast as average

🎓 Education

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement

🚀 Annual Openings

68K
Projected average per year

👔 Work Experience

Less than 5 years
Required before entry

Employment Projections (2024-2034)

Current Employment (2024)

698,600

Projected Employment (2034)

706,900

Related Careers

First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers

$59,330 • +2.5% growth
View →

First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

$78,690 • +5.3% growth
View →

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

$78,300 • +3.1% growth
View →

Top Skills Required

Active Listening
Speaking
Time Management
Management of Personnel Resources
Critical Thinking

Daily Tasks & Responsibilities

  • Enforce safety and sanitation regulations.
  • Keep records of employees' attendance and hours worked.
  • Inspect materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or malfunctions.
  • 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.
  • Plan and establish work schedules, assignments, and production sequences to meet production goals.
  • Confer with other supervisors to coordinate operations and activities within or between departments.
  • Interpret specifications, blueprints, job orders, and company policies and procedures for workers.
  • Observe work and monitor gauges, dials, and other indicators to ensure that operators conform to production or processing standards.
  • Direct and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in the production or processing of goods, such as inspectors, machine setters, or fabricators.
  • Conduct employee training in equipment operations or work and safety procedures, or assign employee training to experienced workers.

Technology & Tools

Apple Safari Autodesk AutoCAD Extensible markup language XML Kronos Workforce Timekeeper Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project

📚 Entry-Level Education

High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement

🎯 Recommended Education

High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level

Degree Programs for First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a first-line supervisors of production and operating workers:

Operations Management and Supervision

12,273 degrees awarded • 150 colleges offer this program
View Colleges →

Best Colleges for Becoming a First-line supervisors of production and operating workers

Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become first-line supervisors of production and operating workers.

# College Location Related Degrees Repit Grade
1 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD 8 A
2 Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH 128 B+
3 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI 91 B+
4 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN 82 B+
5 Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN 23 B+
6 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 18 B+
7 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL 16 B+
8 Washington State University Pullman, WA 188 B
9 University of Delaware Newark, DE 110 B
10 Miami University-Oxford Oxford, OH 100 B
11 Indiana University-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN 88 B
12 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC 77 B
13 Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 51 B
14 Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL 43 B
15 Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 25 B
16 University of Dayton Dayton, OH 24 B
17 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 21 B
18 University of Idaho Moscow, ID 14 B
19 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 14 B
20 Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI 12 B

Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do first-line supervisors of production and operating workers make?
The median annual salary for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers is $71,190.
What education do first-line supervisors of production and operating workers need?
Most first-line supervisors of production and operating workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. Common degree programs include Operations Management and Supervision.
Is becoming first-line supervisors of production and operating workers a good career choice?
First-line supervisors of production and operating workers is projected to see +1.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034, which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 67,700 job openings expected annually, there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers?
Top colleges for aspiring first-line supervisors of production and operating workers include Johns Hopkins University, Ohio State University-Main Campus, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Purdue University-Main Campus. These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to first-line supervisors of production and operating workers?
First-line supervisors of production and operating workers may also be known as: Abattoir Supervisor, Abrasive and Polished Products Supervisor, Acid Supervisor, Aerosol Supervisor, Aging Department Supervisor, Agricultural Chemicals Shift Superintendent, Alteration Workroom Supervisor, Alum Plant Supervisor, Alumina Plant Supervisor, Aluminum Boat Assembly Supervisor, Aluminum Fabrication Supervisor, Ammunition Supervisor, Anhydrous Ammonia Production Supervisor, Anode Crew Supervisor, Art Objects Supervisor, Artificial Flowers Supervisor, Asbestos Pipe Supervisor, Asbestos Textile Supervisor, Asbestos-Cement Sheet Supervisor, Assembly and Packing Supervisor. These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.