How much does a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers make?
The median first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers in the United States earns $62,890 per year, about $30.23 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-1047.
First-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers salary range
Pay for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $43,360 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $96,150. The average (mean) wage of $66,860 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 | $43,360 | $20.85 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 | |
| Median (50th) | $62,890 | $30.23 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,160 | $37.58 | |
| 90th percentile | $96,150 | $46.23 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors (SOC 53-1047), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
First-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers earn the most in Washington at $74,250 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $52,420. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $74,250 | 14,000 |
| Maryland | $74,070 | 11,990 |
| Rhode Island | $72,750 | 1,520 |
| Wyoming | $70,590 | 1,560 |
| Minnesota | $68,430 | 9,410 |
| New Jersey | $67,980 | 25,110 |
| New York | $67,300 | 29,280 |
| Massachusetts | $65,570 | 10,660 |
| California | $65,550 | 67,920 |
| Connecticut | $65,440 | 5,870 |
| Illinois | $65,420 | 25,270 |
| Colorado | $65,380 | 11,890 |
| North Dakota | $65,070 | 1,930 |
| Hawaii | $65,000 | 3,130 |
| South Dakota | $64,780 | 1,340 |
| Indiana | $64,700 | 15,250 |
| Wisconsin | $64,560 | 11,140 |
| Alaska | $64,420 | 1,830 |
| New Hampshire | $63,950 | 2,440 |
| Georgia | $63,540 | 26,660 |
| South Carolina | $63,470 | 8,300 |
| Arizona | $63,360 | 11,190 |
| Kansas | $62,940 | 7,520 |
| Utah | $62,600 | 6,830 |
| Delaware | $62,510 | 2,270 |
| Virginia | $62,130 | 14,830 |
| Ohio | $61,760 | 23,100 |
| Oregon | $61,540 | 8,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,460 | 23,690 |
| Oklahoma | $61,270 | 8,130 |
| Tennessee | $61,160 | 17,290 |
| Florida | $61,000 | 34,650 |
| Montana | $60,670 | 1,990 |
| Nebraska | $60,630 | 3,530 |
| Iowa | $60,490 | 6,480 |
| Vermont | $60,410 | 910 |
| Missouri | $60,370 | 10,500 |
| Nevada | $60,340 | 6,290 |
| District of Columbia | $60,310 | 920 |
| Michigan | $60,280 | 14,600 |
| Louisiana | $60,260 | 8,120 |
| Kentucky | $60,090 | 10,180 |
| Maine | $60,090 | 2,370 |
| North Carolina | $60,070 | 21,540 |
| Texas | $60,000 | 60,700 |
| Alabama | $59,780 | 12,330 |
| Mississippi | $59,290 | 4,950 |
| Arkansas | $56,810 | 5,120 |
| Idaho | $56,290 | 3,070 |
| New Mexico | $55,790 | 3,250 |
| West Virginia | $52,420 | 2,670 |
State median wages for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors (SOC 53-1047), 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 transportation and material moving workers
The BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 621,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 640,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 54,900 openings a year for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers. 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 transportation and material moving workers
The typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers 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 transportation and material moving workers earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $74,250) and the lowest (West Virginia, $52,420) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 623,640 people work as first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers in the United States. At $62,890 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
First-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers salary FAQ
How much does a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers is $30.23. The middle half of first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers earn between $24.07 and $37.58 per hour.
What is the highest first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers earn more than $96,150 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 transportation and material moving workers make a year?
The median annual salary for a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers is $62,890. The average (mean) wage of $66,860 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 transportation and material moving workers a well paid job?
At $62,890 a year, a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 623,640 people work as first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers in the United States.
Which state pays first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers at $74,250 a year. Maryland ($74,070) and Rhode Island ($72,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers a good career?
Employment of first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 54,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a first-line supervisor of transportation and material moving workers?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Transportation salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.