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Salary comparison

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers by $22K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers land at $52,540 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: jewelers and precious stone and metal 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 Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers is Connecticut ($69,800); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$52,540
$74,450
Hourly rate
$25.26/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,580
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$87,540
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
22,440
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-5.5%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Connecticut
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers median pay.

State
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Connecticut
$69,800
$83,150
New York
$61,720
$78,580
California
$60,790
$76,840
Washington
$60,380
$79,310
South Carolina
$60,380
$77,500
New Jersey
$59,480
$81,110
Colorado
$57,120
$78,890
North Dakota
$57,020
$76,350
Minnesota
$54,310
$78,550
Louisiana
$51,420
$77,520
Massachusetts
$51,060
$79,920
Rhode Island
$48,800
$81,650
Maine
$48,080
$78,970
Maryland
$45,430
$78,520
New Hampshire
$43,520
$79,310

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $52,540 for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $22K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal 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 -5.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal 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 Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers get paid the most?

Connecticut is the top-paying state for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers at $69,800/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers earn $69,800 vs. $83,150 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a jewelers and precious stone and metal workersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →