Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors

At a Glance

Hire, train, and supervise other employees
Have years of work experience
Work is often physically active
Work indoors or outdoors, depending on field
Often work long hours
Are usually promoted to this position

Career summary

Manufacturing, transportation, and construction worker supervisors coordinate the activities of workers in many different industries.

Blue-collar worker supervisors may also be called first-line supervisors.

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# 4/2/19

Manufacturing, transportation, and construction worker supervisors direct the activities of many different types of workers including:

Construction workers
Extraction workers
Mechanics and installers
Production workers
Helpers and laborers
Transportation, material mover, and vehicle operators

When starting new projects, supervisors estimate the number of workers and the amount of materials needed to complete the project. They work with a budget. They compute the cost of labor and supplies. Supervisors hire, train, and evaluate workers.

Supervisors assign tasks to workers. They make sure workers are trained for their task. They also make sure workers have safety training. Supervisors monitor work progress.

Supervisors inspect worksites, equipment, and tools to detect unsafe work practices. They correct any unsafe conditions and tell workers of violations of safety standards.

Supervisors evaluate workers and prepare performance appraisals. They make recommendations for promotions or transfers. They may also counsel employees about work-related issues.

Depending on the worksite, supervisors may have other tasks such as:

Marking site locations and placement of structures
Conducting quality control inspections
Providing price quotes to customers
Interpreting shipping order and tariff regulations
Weighing and inspecting cargo, and
Tracking inventory.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

Military careers

Transportation Maintenance Managers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to blue-collar worker supervisors.

Direct and lead workers.
Estimate the cost of materials needed to complete projects. Prepare budgets.
Calculate labor and equipment needs.
Analyze, plan, and establish work goals. Establish work schedules and assignments.
Set up and adjust machines and equipment.
Talk with customers, supervisors, and others to exchange information and resolve problems.
Establish and adjust work methods to meet work schedules.
Interpret blueprints, job orders, and company policies for workers.
Demonstrate equipment or work methods to new employees.
Assign tasks to workers and coordinate work with other departments.
May assist workers in performing tasks.
Patrol work areas and check tools and equipment to detect safety problems.
Inspect raw materials, products, or equipment to detect defects or breakdowns.
Inspect work to verify that it meets standards.
Maintain records. Document time, production, and cost records. Prepare reports.
Order supplies and repair of equipment and machinery.
Recommend or apply measures to motivate employees and improve work methods.
Recommend or take personnel actions, such as hiring, firing, and evaluating employees.
Resolve worker problems or assist workers in solving problems.
Review operations to make production estimates and check current production rates.

Common work activities

Blue-collar worker supervisors perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Get information needed to do the job
Make decisions and solve problems
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Schedule work and activities
Guide, direct, and motivate others
Evaluate information against standards
Identify objects, actions, and events
Develop and build teams
Establish and maintain relationships
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Coach others
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Teach others
Document and record information
Update and use job-related knowledge
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Process information
Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
Explain the meaning of information to others
Monitor and control resources
Use computers
Think creatively
Control machines and processes
Handle and move objects
Communicate with people outside the organization
Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
Provide advice and consultation to others
Perform administrative tasks
Analyze data or information
Develop goals and strategies
Perform activities that use the whole body

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, blue-collar worker supervisors:

Interpersonal relationships

Have a high level of contact with employees.
Communicate on a daily basis by telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face discussions. They also write letters and memos, but less frequently.
Are responsible for the work done by those they supervise.
Are responsible for the health and safety of their workers.
Are often placed in conflict situations in which others may become rude or angry.
Usually work as part of a team.

Physical work conditions

Usually work indoors. Some supervisors, such as those supervising construction workers, work outdoors much of the time. Not all indoor locations will be temperature-controlled.
Wear safety gear, such as hardhats and safety glasses.
May be exposed to noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
May be exposed to hazardous equipment.
May be exposed to contaminants
May be exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures, depending on the weather.
May travel to and from work sites in an enclosed vehicle, such as a truck or van.
May work physically near others, usually within a few feet.

Work performance

Must make sure that all parts of the job are completed.
Must be very exact in performing their work. Errors can harm employees or customers.
Make decisions that affect employees and their organization's reputation. They usually act independently when making a decision, but may check with a manager first.
Must keep pace with the speed of equipment.
Set most of their daily tasks and goals without speaking to a superior first.
Must meet daily and weekly schedules.

Hours/travel

Often are at work before other employees arrive and after they leave.
May work in manufacturing plants that have multiple shifts. They may work day, evening, or night shifts.
May be on-call in case of emergencies.
Work at least 40 hours per week.

Physical demands

Blue-collar worker supervisors frequently:

Stand for long periods of time.
Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for blue-collar worker supervisors to be able to:

Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for blue-collar worker supervisors to be able to:

Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Determine the distance between objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Determine from which direction a sound came.

Skills and abilities

Blue-collar worker supervisors need to:

Communicate

Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand written information.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
Recognize the nature of a problem.
Develop rules that group items in various ways.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
Think of new ideas about a topic.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
Manage the time of self and others.
Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
Persuade others to approach things differently.
Teach others how to do something.
Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
Look for ways to help people.

Perceive and visualize

Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

Other programs of study to consider

Training

To work as a manufacturing, transportation, and construction worker supervisor, you typically need to:

have at least a high school diploma or equivalent; and
have work experience in the occupation being supervised.

Education after high school

For most types of supervisors, formal training is not required. However, in some industries you must have some formal training. For example, supervisors in aerospace and electronics usually need a bachelor's degree in a related field. Construction supervisors must complete an apprenticeship program. Another way to prepare for construction supervisor positions is to get a degree in engineering or construction management.

Work experience

This is not an entry-level position. You need several years of experience as a worker in the field you want to supervise. From that experience you learn the work processes, methods, and cycles. However, you can enter some jobs with a bachelor's degree and very little experience.

On-the-job training

Many employers train new supervisors in management theory and human resources. Supervisors may also learn new computer software. This type of training may take anywhere from a single day up to three months.

Military training

The military trains people to become mechanics and repairers. Training varies by specialty. The experience you gain working for the military may qualify you to become a supervisor.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum (external link) may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

Blueprint Reading
Computer Fundamentals
Construction
Industrial Arts
Introduction to Mechanics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups (PDF file) that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for applicants who have experience and job knowledge. They also look for organizational skills and leadership qualities. In addition, employers look for people who can motivate employees, maintain high morale, and command respect. They also look for people with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Educational requirements vary by industry.

Supervisors are often promoted from among the workers they supervise.

Licensing/certification

Some construction supervisors are required to have a professional license. For example, plumbing supervisors often need a master plumbing license. Other types of supervisors may need a professional engineering license.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website (external link) .

Wages

First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers (SOC 47-1011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$23.53	$29.11	$38.96	$48.51	$58.64
	Monthly	$4,078	$5,045	$6,752	$8,407	$10,162
	Yearly	$48,940	$60,550	$81,040	$100,900	$121,960
Bellingham	Hourly	$21.50	$27.63	$34.36	$45.34	$56.92
	Monthly	$3,726	$4,788	$5,955	$7,857	$9,864
	Yearly	$44,709	$57,482	$71,459	$94,312	$118,407
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$29.32	$35.90	$40.90	$44.01	$50.54
	Monthly	$5,081	$6,221	$7,088	$7,627	$8,759
	Yearly	$60,984	$74,672	$85,074	$91,537	$105,123
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$20.86	$24.70	$29.87	$37.46	$69.76
	Monthly	$3,615	$4,281	$5,176	$6,492	$12,089
	Yearly	$43,380	$51,389	$62,139	$77,920	$145,107
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$17.84	$25.84	$35.08	$46.51	$56.11
	Monthly	$3,092	$4,478	$6,079	$8,060	$9,724
	Yearly	$37,121	$53,752	$72,961	$96,740	$116,715
Longview	Hourly	$23.53	$28.17	$36.48	$49.31	$61.50
	Monthly	$4,078	$4,882	$6,322	$8,545	$10,658
	Yearly	$48,943	$58,603	$75,876	$102,579	$127,915
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$33.68	$39.87	$47.93	$58.43	$64.78
	Monthly	$5,837	$6,909	$8,306	$10,126	$11,226
	Yearly	$70,048	$82,928	$99,687	$121,523	$134,732
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$22.19	$25.95	$30.40	$45.93	$54.97
	Monthly	$3,846	$4,497	$5,268	$7,960	$9,526
	Yearly	$46,149	$53,977	$63,235	$95,541	$114,330
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$25.39	$31.60	$42.19	$51.74	$61.19
	Monthly	$4,400	$5,476	$7,312	$8,967	$10,604
	Yearly	$52,813	$65,719	$87,754	$107,621	$127,262
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$21.59	$26.15	$30.57	$38.73	$49.54
	Monthly	$3,742	$4,532	$5,298	$6,712	$8,585
	Yearly	$44,906	$54,389	$63,587	$80,571	$103,042
Vancouver	Hourly	$24.88	$29.86	$37.15	$46.20	$53.32
	Monthly	$4,312	$5,175	$6,438	$8,006	$9,240
	Yearly	$51,749	$62,113	$77,290	$96,092	$110,910
Walla Walla	Hourly	$24.43	$29.50	$33.90	$38.37	$44.22
	Monthly	$4,234	$5,112	$5,875	$6,650	$7,663
	Yearly	$50,799	$61,365	$70,504	$79,794	$91,958
Wenatchee	Hourly	$20.05	$22.50	$30.91	$38.02	$45.78
	Monthly	$3,475	$3,899	$5,357	$6,589	$7,934
	Yearly	$41,718	$46,810	$64,285	$79,077	$95,237
Yakima	Hourly	$20.10	$25.27	$29.92	$36.94	$43.73
	Monthly	$3,483	$4,379	$5,185	$6,402	$7,578
	Yearly	$41,812	$52,558	$62,231	$76,836	$90,948
United States	Hourly	$20.11	$25.18	$31.36	$40.50	$50.83
	Monthly	$3,485	$4,364	$5,435	$7,019	$8,809
	Yearly	$41,820	$52,380	$65,230	$84,240	$105,720

First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (SOC 49-1011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$19.97	$26.26	$34.33	$43.25	$50.95
	Monthly	$3,461	$4,551	$5,949	$7,495	$8,830
	Yearly	$41,550	$54,620	$71,400	$89,970	$105,970
Bellingham	Hourly	$23.49	$28.44	$34.02	$39.97	$49.26
	Monthly	$4,071	$4,929	$5,896	$6,927	$8,537
	Yearly	$48,853	$59,165	$70,764	$83,142	$102,449
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$30.58	$39.20	$43.81	$46.67	$48.39
	Monthly	$5,300	$6,793	$7,592	$8,088	$8,386
	Yearly	$63,601	$81,526	$91,125	$97,076	$100,634
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$13.87	$20.57	$27.08	$36.69	$51.76
	Monthly	$2,404	$3,565	$4,693	$6,358	$8,970
	Yearly	$28,836	$42,787	$56,333	$76,305	$107,666
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$19.03	$27.94	$35.56	$45.18	$56.43
	Monthly	$3,298	$4,842	$6,163	$7,830	$9,779
	Yearly	$39,593	$58,115	$73,981	$93,962	$117,372
Longview	Hourly	$27.75	$34.92	$41.32	$50.11	$61.96
	Monthly	$4,809	$6,052	$7,161	$8,684	$10,738
	Yearly	$57,721	$72,650	$85,937	$104,220	$128,878
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$15.41	$27.72	$35.39	$44.68	$57.01
	Monthly	$2,671	$4,804	$6,133	$7,743	$9,880
	Yearly	$32,036	$57,661	$73,619	$92,934	$118,582
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$16.61	$18.92	$30.59	$36.24	$42.97
	Monthly	$2,879	$3,279	$5,301	$6,280	$7,447
	Yearly	$34,553	$39,363	$63,618	$75,389	$89,373
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$20.33	$26.39	$34.78	$43.89	$53.61
	Monthly	$3,523	$4,573	$6,027	$7,606	$9,291
	Yearly	$42,293	$54,875	$72,338	$91,295	$111,509
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$21.41	$26.32	$31.51	$38.06	$47.98
	Monthly	$3,710	$4,561	$5,461	$6,596	$8,315
	Yearly	$44,539	$54,726	$65,542	$79,177	$99,794
Vancouver	Hourly	$20.33	$25.17	$32.09	$40.72	$49.71
	Monthly	$3,523	$4,362	$5,561	$7,057	$8,615
	Yearly	$42,278	$52,359	$66,737	$84,687	$103,404
Walla Walla	Hourly	$24.91	$31.11	$33.60	$40.46	$50.51
	Monthly	$4,317	$5,391	$5,823	$7,012	$8,753
	Yearly	$51,804	$64,709	$69,883	$84,150	$105,069
Wenatchee	Hourly	$22.46	$27.33	$34.71	$44.18	$57.39
	Monthly	$3,892	$4,736	$6,015	$7,656	$9,946
	Yearly	$46,702	$56,847	$72,202	$91,903	$119,379
Yakima	Hourly	$20.77	$25.96	$32.42	$39.13	$49.19
	Monthly	$3,599	$4,499	$5,618	$6,781	$8,525
	Yearly	$43,207	$54,008	$67,440	$81,378	$102,317
United States	Hourly	$19.19	$24.72	$31.80	$40.37	$50.01
	Monthly	$3,326	$4,284	$5,511	$6,996	$8,667
	Yearly	$39,910	$51,430	$66,140	$83,980	$104,020

First-line supervisors of production and operating workers (SOC 51-1011)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$19.30	$24.74	$33.00	$44.22	$56.45
	Monthly	$3,345	$4,287	$5,719	$7,663	$9,783
	Yearly	$40,150	$51,450	$68,640	$91,970	$117,420
Bellingham	Hourly	$19.09	$23.31	$29.56	$37.94	$50.21
	Monthly	$3,308	$4,040	$5,123	$6,575	$8,701
	Yearly	$39,693	$48,476	$61,492	$78,905	$104,431
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$26.75	$37.95	$41.66	$45.22	$48.85
	Monthly	$4,636	$6,577	$7,220	$7,837	$8,466
	Yearly	$55,640	$78,932	$86,647	$94,065	$101,615
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$21.39	$27.13	$35.25	$48.52	$63.34
	Monthly	$3,707	$4,702	$6,109	$8,409	$10,977
	Yearly	$44,489	$56,413	$73,321	$100,927	$131,749
Longview	Hourly	$22.55	$30.17	$43.36	$52.99	$64.61
	Monthly	$3,908	$5,228	$7,514	$9,183	$11,197
	Yearly	$46,919	$62,763	$90,186	$110,218	$134,386
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$21.65	$27.62	$36.72	$46.13	$54.26
	Monthly	$3,752	$4,787	$6,364	$7,994	$9,403
	Yearly	$45,042	$57,432	$76,383	$95,944	$112,861
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$15.22	$22.56	$29.32	$36.12	$52.39
	Monthly	$2,638	$3,910	$5,081	$6,260	$9,079
	Yearly	$31,661	$46,936	$60,994	$75,112	$108,963
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$20.84	$26.70	$36.23	$48.62	$60.63
	Monthly	$3,612	$4,627	$6,279	$8,426	$10,507
	Yearly	$43,328	$55,528	$75,364	$101,129	$126,121
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$18.47	$22.87	$28.40	$36.13	$47.47
	Monthly	$3,201	$3,963	$4,922	$6,261	$8,227
	Yearly	$38,412	$47,571	$59,073	$75,140	$98,743
Vancouver	Hourly	$17.96	$22.91	$29.32	$36.78	$45.10
	Monthly	$3,112	$3,970	$5,081	$6,374	$7,816
	Yearly	$37,358	$47,665	$61,001	$76,501	$93,806
Walla Walla	Hourly	$21.39	$25.48	$30.23	$40.65	$50.65
	Monthly	$3,707	$4,416	$5,239	$7,045	$8,778
	Yearly	$44,495	$53,004	$62,881	$84,555	$105,353
Wenatchee	Hourly	$14.43	$16.84	$21.88	$36.86	$53.91
	Monthly	$2,501	$2,918	$3,792	$6,388	$9,343
	Yearly	$30,011	$35,020	$45,512	$76,685	$112,130
Yakima	Hourly	$16.27	$19.37	$26.49	$31.50	$42.30
	Monthly	$2,820	$3,357	$4,591	$5,459	$7,331
	Yearly	$33,853	$40,288	$55,096	$65,518	$88,002
United States	Hourly	$17.32	$22.26	$29.05	$37.53	$47.84
	Monthly	$3,002	$3,858	$5,034	$6,504	$8,291
	Yearly	$36,020	$46,290	$60,420	$78,060	$99,500

(1) Wage estimate is not available.

First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors (SOC 53-1048)

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$17.53	$22.25	$29.07	$37.14	$46.17
	Monthly	$3,038	$3,856	$5,038	$6,436	$8,001
	Yearly	$36,460	$46,280	$60,480	$77,250	$96,040
Bellingham	Hourly	$14.27	$18.12	$24.95	$31.83	$41.35
	Monthly	$2,473	$3,140	$4,324	$5,516	$7,166
	Yearly	$29,677	$37,683	$51,904	$66,225	$86,012
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$14.37	$18.16	$31.55	$43.55	$48.54
	Monthly	$2,490	$3,147	$5,468	$7,547	$8,412
	Yearly	$29,896	$37,770	$65,641	$90,580	$100,955
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$12.09	$21.53	$27.77	$35.83	$40.01
	Monthly	$2,095	$3,731	$4,813	$6,209	$6,934
	Yearly	$25,147	$44,773	$57,760	$74,521	$83,204
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$18.77	$25.22	$33.31	$39.80	$46.86
	Monthly	$3,253	$4,371	$5,773	$6,897	$8,121
	Yearly	$39,040	$52,463	$69,289	$82,774	$97,469
Longview	Hourly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Monthly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
	Yearly	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$21.05	$25.46	$31.03	$37.90	$43.60
	Monthly	$3,648	$4,412	$5,377	$6,568	$7,556
	Yearly	$43,777	$52,943	$64,532	$78,825	$90,698
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$19.12	$22.96	$29.37	$37.38	$44.13
	Monthly	$3,313	$3,979	$5,090	$6,478	$7,648
	Yearly	$39,780	$47,761	$61,093	$77,745	$91,790
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue	Hourly	$18.83	$23.86	$30.85	$39.05	$49.11
	Monthly	$3,263	$4,135	$5,346	$6,767	$8,511
	Yearly	$39,167	$49,623	$64,173	$81,223	$102,154
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$18.13	$21.92	$28.07	$36.77	$44.05
	Monthly	$3,142	$3,799	$4,865	$6,372	$7,634
	Yearly	$37,694	$45,590	$58,387	$76,488	$91,621
Vancouver	Hourly	$17.16	$20.59	$27.85	$35.99	$43.86
	Monthly	$2,974	$3,568	$4,826	$6,237	$7,601
	Yearly	$35,707	$42,834	$57,943	$74,874	$91,238
Walla Walla	Hourly	$22.05	$25.97	$31.14	$38.84	$46.29
	Monthly	$3,821	$4,501	$5,397	$6,731	$8,022
	Yearly	$45,852	$54,011	$64,774	$80,797	$96,292
Wenatchee	Hourly	$17.57	$20.63	$24.72	$36.86	$45.36
	Monthly	$3,045	$3,575	$4,284	$6,388	$7,861
	Yearly	$36,535	$42,891	$51,422	$76,680	$94,341
Yakima	Hourly	$14.69	$18.57	$24.14	$30.67	$38.44
	Monthly	$2,546	$3,218	$4,183	$5,315	$6,662
	Yearly	$30,560	$38,622	$50,222	$63,803	$79,956
United States	Hourly	$16.00	$19.83	$26.73	$34.27	$42.19
	Monthly	$2,773	$3,437	$4,632	$5,939	$7,312
	Yearly	$33,280	$41,260	$55,600	$71,280	$87,750

(1) Wage estimate is not available.

Wages vary by industry. Wages also vary by the number and type of workers supervised. In addition, supervisors who belong to a union usually receive higher wages.

Manufacturing, transportation, and construction worker supervisors who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	18,715	17.7%	16.1%	2,642
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	402	18.2%	13.4%	57
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	283	6.4%	8.6%	31
Benton and Franklin Counties	1,073	18.1%	15.0%	151
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	1,062	9.6%	11.9%	127
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	1,341	19.2%	15.2%	196
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	848	23.0%	14.1%	132
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	1,180	19.8%	14.6%	173
King County	7,763	17.4%	19.6%	1,088
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	322	15.5%	13.8%	43
Pierce County	1,594	16.8%	15.2%	220
Snohomish County	1,722	18.5%	12.4%	246
Spokane County	1,039	17.6%	13.9%	146
United States	662,600	10.4%	5.2%	79,400

First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers (SOC 49-1011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	13,217	10.1%	16.1%	1,442
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	458	10.5%	13.4%	50
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	284	9.5%	8.6%	31
Benton and Franklin Counties	521	9.4%	15.0%	56
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	1,115	4.4%	11.9%	106
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	994	5.3%	15.2%	96
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	754	9.3%	14.1%	80
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	617	10.0%	14.6%	67
King County	4,848	12.9%	19.6%	562
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	390	8.2%	13.8%	40
Pierce County	1,496	11.8%	15.2%	170
Snohomish County	984	8.1%	12.4%	102
Spokane County	709	8.9%	13.9%	75
United States	487,000	4.0%	5.2%	47,500

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers (SOC 51-1011)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
Washington	15,681	5.1%	16.1%	1,706
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	647	8.8%	13.4%	76
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	396	3.0%	8.6%	41
Benton and Franklin Counties	552	8.0%	15.0%	64
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	671	3.0%	11.9%	69
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	1,137	6.1%	15.2%	127
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	716	3.6%	14.1%	75
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	1,162	7.5%	14.6%	133
King County	5,040	4.4%	19.6%	538
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	869	8.3%	13.8%	101
Pierce County	1,113	6.3%	15.2%	125
Snohomish County	2,171	2.7%	12.4%	223
Spokane County	1,002	6.0%	13.9%	112
United States	639,700	-0.2%	5.2%	65,200

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (SOC 53-1048)

		This occupation	All occupations
Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years		Annual openings
United States	416,200	5.3%	5.2%	47,800

National employment

Manufacturing, transportation, and construction worker supervisors work in many industries.

Major employers:

Construction companies
Federal, state, and local government agencies
Automotive repair shops
Motor vehicle dealers
Plastics manufacturers
Motor vehicle manufacturers
Trucking firms
Warehouses and distributors

National outlook

Demand will vary by industry. Job growth will be very strong in the construction fields. There will be moderate growth in the transportation industry. The decline of the manufacturing industry is limiting some job growth.

Job prospects are best for skilled workers with experience.

Other resources

American Management Association

Associated Builders and Contractors
440 - 1st Street NW, Suite 200
Washington DC 20001
202.595.1505

Associated General Contractors of America
2300 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
703.548.3118

Associated General Contractors of Washington
1200 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 301
Seattle, WA 98109
206.284.0061

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
4755 East Philadelphia Street
Ontario, CA 91761
909.472.4100

National Association of Women in Construction
327 South Adams Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104
800.552.3506
817.877.5551

Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association
4201 Lafayette Center Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151
703.803.2980

US Small Business Administration
Seattle District Office
2401 Fourth Avenue, Suite 450
Seattle, WA 98121
206.553.7310

Washington Business Week
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

References

Career cluster

Manufacturing

Career path

Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net occupations

O*Net job zones

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.