CFChooseField
Production

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers

Median pay

$71,190
Median annual pay for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

1.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

67,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

698,600
Estimated U.S. employment for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+8,300
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Monitoring
  5. 5Reading Comprehension
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Administration and Management
  3. 3Personnel and Human Resources
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Speech Clarity
  6. 6Speech Recognition

Career interests

  1. 1Enterprising
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Leadership Orientation
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Attention to Detail
  4. 4Achievement Orientation
  5. 5Perseverance
  6. 6Cautiousness

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  4. 4Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  5. 5Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  6. 6Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  5. 5Time Pressure
  6. 6Frequency of Decision Making

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · in demandSAP software · in demandMicrosoft Office software · in demandExtensible markup language XML · hot technologyApple Safari · hot technologyAutodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyMicrosoft Project · hot technologyKronos Workforce Timekeeper · hot technologyMicrosoft SharePoint · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.