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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 Workerss out-earn Upholstererss by $28K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Upholstererss land at $46,340 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss 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 Upholstererss is Rhode Island ($63,360); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss 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)
N/A
N/A
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, Upholstererss or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $46,340 for Upholstererss versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss, a difference of $28K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

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 Upholstererss get paid the most?

Rhode Island is the top-paying state for Upholstererss 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, Upholstererss earn $63,360 vs. $81,650 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss. 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 Upholstererss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workerss by take-home payExplore →How to become a upholsterersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →