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Salary comparison

Power Distributors and Dispatchers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

Power Distributors and Dispatchers out-earn First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by $32K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Power Distributors and Dispatchers land at $106,730 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: power distributors and dispatcher 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 Power Distributors and Dispatchers is Washington ($144,710); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Power Distributors and Dispatchers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$106,730
$74,450
Hourly rate
$51.31/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$72,440
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$154,270
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
8,520
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-3.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Power Distributors and Dispatchers median pay.

State
Power Distributors and Dispatchers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$144,710
$79,310
New York
$139,390
$78,580
California
$137,570
$76,840
New Jersey
$128,220
$81,110
Maine
$121,520
$78,970
Massachusetts
$121,010
$79,920
Wyoming
$120,210
$90,390
Maryland
$113,660
$78,520
Minnesota
$105,630
$78,550
Iowa
$102,980
$74,750
Illinois
$101,470
$75,200
Pennsylvania
$98,930
$74,990
Arizona
$98,510
$75,330
South Carolina
$91,570
$77,500
Wisconsin
$83,140
$74,840

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Power Distributors and Dispatchers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Power Distributors and Dispatchers earn more nationally. The median is $106,730 for Power Distributors and Dispatchers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $32K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Power Distributors and Dispatchers 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 -3.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Power Distributors and Dispatchers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Power Distributors and Dispatchers 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 Power Distributors and Dispatchers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Power Distributors and Dispatchers at $144,710/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Power Distributors and Dispatchers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Power Distributors and Dispatchers earn $144,710 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 Power Distributors and Dispatchers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Power Distributors and Dispatchers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a power distributors and dispatchersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →