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Salary comparison

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders by $39K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders land at $35,650 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: shoe machine operators and tender 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 Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders is New York ($48,420); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$35,650
$74,450
Hourly rate
$17.14/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$26,560
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$47,700
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
3,280
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-3.7%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
New York
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders median pay.

State
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
New York
$48,420
$78,580
California
$47,730
$76,840
Maine
$39,850
$78,970
Wisconsin
$37,970
$74,840
Minnesota
$37,600
$78,550
Texas
$26,560
$70,140

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $35,650 for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $39K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders 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 -3.7% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders 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 Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders get paid the most?

New York is the top-paying state for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders at $48,420/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders earn $48,420 vs. $78,580 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a shoe machine operators and tendersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →