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 Workerss out-earn Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics by $26K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics land at $48,750 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss 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 Plastics is Washington ($61,990); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss 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 Plastics or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss?
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $48,750 for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss, 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?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Plastics get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastics 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 Plastics earn $61,990 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.