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Salary comparison

Model Makers, 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 Model Makers, Metal and Plastics by $11K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Model Makers, Metal and Plastics land at $63,340 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss at $74,450. The education gap is real: model makers, 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 Model Makers, Metal and Plastics is California ($92,960); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$63,340
$74,450
Hourly rate
$30.45/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,760
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$99,010
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
2,610
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
California
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Model Makers, Metal and Plastic median pay.

State
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
California
$92,960
$76,840
Florida
$79,930
$63,950
New York
$77,710
$78,580
New Jersey
$72,340
$81,110
Illinois
$68,890
$75,200
Massachusetts
$67,830
$79,920
Texas
$65,920
$70,140
Indiana
$62,620
$73,950
Iowa
$61,550
$74,750
Ohio
$60,880
$72,160
Michigan
$60,540
$72,170
Rhode Island
$55,560
$81,650
Utah
$53,650
$71,220
Pennsylvania
$52,990
$74,990
North Carolina
$45,760
$69,640

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Model Makers, 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 $63,340 for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss, a difference of $11K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Model Makers, 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, Model Makers, Metal and Plastic or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Model Makers, 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 Model Makers, Metal and Plastics get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics at $92,960/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Model Makers, Metal and Plastic vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Model Makers, Metal and Plastics earn $92,960 vs. $76,840 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Model Makers, Metal and Plastic salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Model Makers, Metal and Plastics by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a model makers, metal and plasticGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →