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Salary comparison

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers land at $41,600 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: painting, coating, and decorating 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 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers is Washington ($61,210); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$41,600
$74,450
Hourly rate
$20/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,470
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$60,820
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
7,940
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
1.4%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers median pay.

State
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$61,210
$79,310
Massachusetts
$54,070
$79,920
Colorado
$54,070
$78,890
New Jersey
$52,160
$81,110
Connecticut
$50,720
$83,150
New York
$48,510
$78,580
Maryland
$47,320
$78,520
South Carolina
$43,820
$77,500
Minnesota
$43,630
$78,550
Illinois
$41,960
$75,200
Pennsylvania
$41,660
$74,990
California
$41,600
$76,840
Louisiana
$38,320
$77,520
Wyoming
$37,090
$90,390
Arizona
$37,030
$75,330

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $41,600 for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.4% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Painting, Coating, and Decorating 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 Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers at $61,210/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers earn $61,210 vs. $79,310 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a painting, coating, and decorating workersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →