Skip to content
AffordMap
Salary comparison

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers by $12K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers land at $62,750 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: fabric and apparel patternmaker 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 Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers is New York ($101,230); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$62,750
$74,450
Hourly rate
$30.17/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,790
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$123,540
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
2,950
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-10.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
New York
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers median pay.

State
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
New York
$101,230
$78,580
California
$89,010
$76,840
Pennsylvania
$65,900
$74,990
Indiana
$59,400
$73,950
Missouri
$56,490
$73,210
Oregon
$55,740
$73,580
Ohio
$49,220
$72,160
North Carolina
$48,180
$69,640
Massachusetts
$47,680
$79,920
Virginia
$45,390
$74,150
Mississippi
$41,060
$68,720
Texas
$34,930
$70,140
Florida
$33,790
$63,950

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $62,750 for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $12K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -10.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers 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 Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers at $101,230/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers earn $101,230 vs. $78,580 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a fabric and apparel patternmakersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →