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Salary comparison

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

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Upholsterers by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Upholsterers land at $46,340 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: upholsterer 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 Upholsterers is Rhode Island ($63,360); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Upholsterers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$46,340
$74,450
Hourly rate
$22.28/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,690
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$63,770
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
20,140
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-1.8%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Rhode Island
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Upholsterers median pay.

State
Upholsterers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Rhode Island
$63,360
$81,650
Washington
$55,970
$79,310
North Dakota
$52,420
$76,350
Connecticut
$50,870
$83,150
Maryland
$50,270
$78,520
Louisiana
$49,920
$77,520
Delaware
$49,860
$79,100
Minnesota
$48,810
$78,550
California
$48,580
$76,840
Massachusetts
$48,380
$79,920
New York
$47,320
$78,580
New Jersey
$42,640
$81,110
Colorado
$42,240
$78,890
Arizona
$41,860
$75,330
South Carolina
$38,880
$77,500

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Upholsterers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $46,340 for Upholsterers 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, Upholsterers 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 -1.8% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

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

Upholsterers 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 Upholsterers get paid the most?

Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Upholsterers at $63,360/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

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

The gap varies significantly by state. In Rhode Island, Upholsterers earn $63,360 vs. $81,650 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Upholsterers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Upholsterers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a upholsterersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →