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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 Workers out-earn Helpers--Production Workers by $35K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Helpers--Production Workers land at $39,070 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers 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 Workers is North Dakota ($46,170); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers 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)
-8.9%
1.2%
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 Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $39,070 for Helpers--Production Workers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, 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?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -8.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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 Workers get paid the most?

North Dakota is the top-paying state for Helpers--Production Workers 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 Workers earn $45,550 vs. $78,890 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. 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 Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a helpers--production workersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →