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Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: 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. Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers land at $48,570 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weigher 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 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers is Alaska ($78,150); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

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

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers median pay.

State
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Alaska
$78,150
$77,960
Washington
$64,420
$79,310
Maryland
$61,790
$78,520
District of Columbia
$59,730
$80,030
Colorado
$58,350
$78,890
Wyoming
$57,900
$90,390
Delaware
$57,190
$79,100
Minnesota
$57,170
$78,550
Connecticut
$57,090
$83,150
Rhode Island
$54,940
$81,650
New Hampshire
$54,800
$79,310
Maine
$53,570
$78,970
Massachusetts
$52,270
$79,920
New York
$49,990
$78,580
New Jersey
$49,140
$81,110

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

Common questions

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

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $48,570 for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 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, Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 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 0% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers 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 Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers get paid the most?

Alaska is the top-paying state for Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers at $78,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers earn $78,150 vs. $77,960 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

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