Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic by $26K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic land at $48,750 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic 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 Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic is Washington ($61,990); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $48,750 for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $26K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 -12.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 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 Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic at $61,990/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic earn $61,990 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.