How much does a first-line supervisor of mechanics make?
The median first-line supervisor of mechanics in the United States earns $79,860 per year, about $38.39 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of mechanics earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 49-1011.
First-line supervisor of mechanics salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of mechanics spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,600 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $126,790. The average (mean) wage of $85,220 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,600 | $23.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $62,690 | $30.14 | |
| Median (50th) | $79,860 | $38.39 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $101,360 | $48.73 | |
| 90th percentile | $126,790 | $60.96 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (SOC 49-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
First-line supervisor of mechanics salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of mechanics earn the most in Alaska at $98,110 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $70,900. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $98,110 | 2,720 |
| Washington | $94,420 | 14,680 |
| Connecticut | $94,050 | 6,230 |
| California | $93,660 | 51,670 |
| New Jersey | $92,680 | 14,930 |
| Massachusetts | $92,250 | 12,140 |
| New York | $91,150 | 26,930 |
| North Dakota | $90,600 | 1,920 |
| New Hampshire | $87,560 | 3,360 |
| Hawaii | $87,550 | 3,380 |
| Wyoming | $87,460 | 2,030 |
| Minnesota | $87,160 | 9,110 |
| Oregon | $86,970 | 7,120 |
| District of Columbia | $83,460 | 1,260 |
| Colorado | $83,260 | 13,590 |
| Delaware | $83,250 | 1,890 |
| Illinois | $83,180 | 17,710 |
| Vermont | $83,050 | 630 |
| Wisconsin | $82,570 | 10,640 |
| Maryland | $82,330 | 10,120 |
| Montana | $81,440 | 2,690 |
| South Dakota | $80,810 | 1,750 |
| Virginia | $80,770 | 16,910 |
| Nevada | $79,860 | 5,450 |
| Indiana | $79,650 | 13,210 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,400 | 20,220 |
| Maine | $79,260 | 2,640 |
| Utah | $78,930 | 6,980 |
| Rhode Island | $78,840 | 1,460 |
| Ohio | $78,730 | 19,410 |
| Kansas | $78,390 | 6,780 |
| Iowa | $78,340 | 6,450 |
| Nebraska | $77,850 | 4,610 |
| Michigan | $77,810 | 15,740 |
| New Mexico | $77,550 | 3,780 |
| Missouri | $77,470 | 11,220 |
| Oklahoma | $77,040 | 10,260 |
| Georgia | $77,010 | 23,180 |
| North Carolina | $76,800 | 21,110 |
| Kentucky | $76,760 | 10,020 |
| Texas | $76,760 | 75,340 |
| Arizona | $76,240 | 13,490 |
| Florida | $75,900 | 41,250 |
| Tennessee | $75,830 | 15,070 |
| Louisiana | $75,550 | 10,490 |
| South Carolina | $75,120 | 10,140 |
| Idaho | $74,940 | 3,780 |
| Alabama | $74,830 | 13,390 |
| Arkansas | $71,460 | 7,590 |
| West Virginia | $71,360 | 4,070 |
| Mississippi | $70,900 | 6,930 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (SOC 49-1011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for first-line supervisors of mechanics
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of mechanics to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 629,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 654,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 48,900 openings a year for first-line supervisors of mechanics. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a first-line supervisor of mechanics
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of mechanics is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a first-line supervisor of mechanics earns
Certifications, the type of equipment worked on, employer, and region drive most of the pay difference. Flat-rate pay and overtime can push experienced techs well above the median.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $98,110) and the lowest (Mississippi, $70,900) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 617,500 people work as first-line supervisors of mechanics in the United States. At $79,860 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of mechanics salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of mechanics make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of mechanics is $38.39. The middle half of first-line supervisors of mechanics earn between $30.14 and $48.73 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of mechanics salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of mechanics earn more than $126,790 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a first-line supervisor of mechanics make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of mechanics is $79,860. The average (mean) wage of $85,220 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a first-line supervisor of mechanics a well paid job?
At $79,860 a year, a first-line supervisor of mechanics earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 617,500 people work as first-line supervisors of mechanics in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of mechanics the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of mechanics at $98,110 a year. Washington ($94,420) and Connecticut ($94,050) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a first-line supervisor of mechanics a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of mechanics is projected to grow 4.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 48,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of mechanics?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of mechanics as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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