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Salary comparison

Tool and Die Makers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Tool and Die Makers by $10K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Tool and Die Makers land at $64,050 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: tool and die maker 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 Tool and Die Makers is Washington ($109,390); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Tool and Die Makers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$64,050
$74,450
Hourly rate
$30.79/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$44,680
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$92,680
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
56,930
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-10.8%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Washington
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Tool and Die Makers median pay.

State
Tool and Die Makers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Washington
$109,390
$79,310
Maine
$79,910
$78,970
Connecticut
$77,540
$83,150
California
$77,030
$76,840
New Jersey
$74,460
$81,110
North Dakota
$73,130
$76,350
Minnesota
$71,020
$78,550
New Hampshire
$69,910
$79,310
New York
$68,080
$78,580
Massachusetts
$67,230
$79,920
South Carolina
$65,250
$77,500
Colorado
$63,800
$78,890
Rhode Island
$63,430
$81,650
Maryland
$58,110
$78,520
Louisiana
$46,950
$77,520

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Tool and Die Makers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $64,050 for Tool and Die Makers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $10K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Tool and Die Makers 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 -10.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Tool and Die Makers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Tool and Die Makers 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 Tool and Die Makers get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Tool and Die Makers at $109,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Tool and Die Makers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Tool and Die Makers earn $109,390 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 Tool and Die Makers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Tool and Die Makers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a tool and die makersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →