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Salary comparison

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

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss out-earn Helpers--Production Workerss by $35K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Helpers--Production Workerss land at $39,070 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss at $74,450. The education gap is real: helpers--production worker 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 Helpers--Production Workerss is North Dakota ($46,170); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Helpers--Production Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$39,070
$74,450
Hourly rate
$18.78/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,140
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$53,410
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
165,700
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
North Dakota
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Helpers--Production Workers median pay.

State
Helpers--Production Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Colorado
$45,550
$78,890
Washington
$45,450
$79,310
Connecticut
$45,260
$83,150
Rhode Island
$44,720
$81,650
Minnesota
$44,720
$78,550
Maryland
$44,680
$78,520
Maine
$44,120
$78,970
New York
$43,540
$78,580
New Hampshire
$42,740
$79,310
Alaska
$42,530
$77,960
Massachusetts
$42,280
$79,920
Wyoming
$40,200
$90,390
New Jersey
$39,290
$81,110
Delaware
$38,380
$79,100
Louisiana
$36,400
$77,520

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Helpers--Production Workerss or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $39,070 for Helpers--Production Workerss versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss, a difference of $35K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Helpers--Production Workers 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 Helpers--Production Workerss get paid the most?

North Dakota is the top-paying state for Helpers--Production Workerss at $46,170/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Colorado, Helpers--Production Workerss earn $45,550 vs. $78,890 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Helpers--Production Workers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Helpers--Production Workerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a helpers--production workersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →