First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
SOC 51-1011 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers is $169,396, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $170,427, and an estimated 181,983 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +4.9% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -10.9% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 1.2% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $65,930 | $65,930 | 671,160 |
| 2022 | $63,510 | $66,124 | 659,930 |
| 2021 | $61,790 | $69,482 | 629,420 |
| 2020 | $62,850 | $73,994 | 599,900 |
Nominal change
+4.9%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-10.9%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+1.2%
About average
Employment 2024
698,600
Projected 2034
706,900
Annual Openings
67,700
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $169,396. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $101,200 | -40.3% | 590 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $94,390 | -44.3% | 520 |
| District of Columbia | $90,270 | -46.7% | 210 |
| Wyoming | $90,110 | -46.8% | 1,550 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $89,030 | -47.4% | 510 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $83,830 | -50.5% | 310 |
| Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $80,630 | -52.4% | 520 |
| Alaska | $79,400 | -53.1% | 1,040 |
| Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $79,400 | -53.1% | 1,300 |
| Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $79,110 | -53.3% | 180 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$93,167
25th Pct
$127,047
Median
$169,396
75th Pct
$220,214
90th Pct
$279,503
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pace Industries, LLC | MA | 1 | $70,000 |
| National Electric Coil Co., LP | TX | 1 | $75,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Production
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.