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Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic land at $46,170 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: molders, shapers, and casters, except 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 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic is Montana ($57,860); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$46,170
$74,450
Hourly rate
$22.2/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$35,850
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$61,530
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
33,190
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
6.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Montana
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic median pay.

State
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Connecticut
$52,520
$83,150
Washington
$51,780
$79,310
New Hampshire
$51,470
$79,310
Massachusetts
$50,550
$79,920
Maryland
$50,360
$78,520
Colorado
$49,530
$78,890
Maine
$48,640
$78,970
Delaware
$47,940
$79,100
Rhode Island
$47,610
$81,650
New Jersey
$47,360
$81,110
Louisiana
$46,870
$77,520
South Carolina
$46,110
$77,500
New York
$45,940
$78,580
Minnesota
$45,790
$78,550
Wyoming
$37,510
$90,390

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $46,170 for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic has the better 10-year outlook at 6.2% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except 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 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic get paid the most?

Montana is the top-paying state for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic at $57,860/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic earn $52,520 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 Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plasticGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →