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Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders by $31K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders land at $43,530 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tender programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders is Maine ($64,610); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$43,530
$74,450
Hourly rate
$20.93/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,790
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$58,570
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
14,760
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
3.6%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Maine
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders median pay.

State
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Maine
$64,610
$78,970
Wisconsin
$54,290
$74,840
North Dakota
$48,240
$76,350
Pennsylvania
$48,000
$74,990
New Hampshire
$47,510
$79,310
New York
$46,290
$78,580
Washington
$45,600
$79,310
California
$45,150
$76,840
Illinois
$43,740
$75,200
New Jersey
$43,600
$81,110
Massachusetts
$43,210
$79,920
Minnesota
$42,600
$78,550
South Carolina
$39,240
$77,500
Connecticut
$39,140
$83,150
Arizona
$37,900
$75,330

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $43,530 for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $31K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders has the better 10-year outlook at 3.6% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders get paid the most?

Maine is the top-paying state for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders at $64,610/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Maine, Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders earn $64,610 vs. $78,970 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tendersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →