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Salary comparison

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers vs. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers by $26K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers land at $74,450 and Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers at $48,570. The education gap is real: first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weigher programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers is Wyoming ($90,390); for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers it's Alaska ($78,150).

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Median salary
$74,450
$48,570
Hourly rate
$35.79/hr
$23.35/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$47,130
$35,510
Senior level (90th %)
$108,750
$77,860
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
673,430
597,370
Job growth (10-year)
1.2%
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Wyoming
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers median pay.

State
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
Wyoming
$90,390
$57,900
Connecticut
$83,150
$57,090
Rhode Island
$81,650
$54,940
District of Columbia
$80,030
$59,730
Washington
$79,310
$64,420
New Hampshire
$79,310
$54,800
Delaware
$79,100
$57,190
Colorado
$78,890
$58,350
Minnesota
$78,550
$57,170
Maryland
$78,520
$61,790
Alaska
$77,960
$78,150
California
$76,840
$54,300
Missouri
$73,210
$54,420
Hawaii
$71,990
$59,740
Montana
$68,760
$58,070

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

Common questions

Who earns more, First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers or Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers versus $48,570 for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers, a difference of $26K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers or Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to 0% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers or Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers get paid the most?

Wyoming is the top-paying state for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $90,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers vs. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Wyoming, First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn $90,390 vs. $57,900 for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Full Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers salary breakdownView →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers by take-home payExplore →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →How to become a inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighersGuide →