Highest-Paying Foreman Jobs in 2026
Research Summary: The Zippia data team has analyzed a wealth of public government and company data, alongside thousands of job postings, to estimate average salaries for various positions across the US. This report highlights the highest-paid foreman roles based on those averages.
Here is a summary of our findings regarding the highest-paying types of foremen:
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The top-earning foreman role is a Hacker, with an average salary of $88,716, translating to an hourly wage of $42.65.
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The second highest-paying foreman position is that of a Shop Foreman, earning an average salary of $68,171.
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The overall average salary for foremen across all sectors stands at $55,073 per year, with an average hourly pay of $26.48.
Table Of Contents: Background | Salary Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be a challenging task. While salary is just one factor to consider, it undeniably plays a crucial role in decision-making. If you’re aspiring to become a foreman, understanding the highest-paying roles can significantly inform your career strategy.
Here are the top salaries for various foreman positions:
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Hacker
Average Salary: $88,716
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Shop Foreman
Average Salary: $68,171
A Shop Foreman oversees daily operations, ensuring that staff meet customer needs. This role involves managing staffing schedules, training new employees, and delegating tasks. Shop foremen are typically found in manufacturing and automotive sectors, requiring knowledge of equipment operation and strong leadership and communication skills to handle customer inquiries effectively.
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Site Foreman
Average Salary: $62,771
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Carpenter Foreman
Average Salary: $58,922
A Carpenter Foreman supervises carpentry teams, inspects structures needing repair, and estimates necessary materials and time for restoration.
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Construction Foreman
Average Salary: $57,121
A Construction Foreman manages construction projects, monitors schedules, and ensures safety compliance. They allocate tasks, inspect materials, and seek cost-reduction opportunities through supplier negotiations.
Below is a comprehensive table detailing the average salaries for various foreman positions.
Highest-Paying Types of Foremen
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hacker | |
| 2 | Shop Foreman | |
| 3 | Site Foreman | |
| 4 | Carpenter Foreman | |
| 5 | Construction Foreman | |
| 6 | Production Foreman | |
| 7 | Foreman/Operator | |
| 8 | Crew Foreman | |
| 9 | Electrical Foreman | |
| 10 | Pipe Foreman | |
| 11 | General Foreman | |
| 12 | Chemical Sprayer | |
| 13 | Park Maintainer | |
| 14 | Warehouse Foreman | |
| 15 | Crew Supervisor | |
| 16 | Working Foreman | |
| 17 | Landscape Foreman | |
| 18 | Maintenance Foreman | |
| 19 | Leadman | |
| 20 | Conservation Worker |
Methodology
The salary estimates provided by Zippia are derived from publicly available data from sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Our data science team also reviews job postings and company resources for the latest salary information for foremen.
After gathering the data, we calculate a weighted average for each job title. For more information on our methods, please refer to our detailed methodology.
FAQs: Highest-Paying Types of Foreman Jobs
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What is the highest-paid foreman job?
The highest-paid foreman job is a hacker. Hackers earn an average salary of $88,716, which equates to $42.65 per hour.
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What is a good salary for a foreman?
A good salary for a foreman is $55,073 or higher. This figure represents the average foreman salary, meaning those earning at least this amount are receiving above-average pay.
However, salaries can vary based on location, as companies adjust pay scales according to the regional cost of living. Researching local salary averages for your specific expertise and experience level can provide a clearer picture of your earning potential.
For those entering the foreman field, it’s essential to note that the average entry-level salary may be lower than the overall average of $55,073, which encompasses all experience levels.
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Do foreman jobs pay well?
Yes, foreman jobs generally offer good pay. While salary ranges can vary significantly across industries, the average foreman salary of $55,073 exceeds the average national salary of approximately $44,225 per year.
Many foreman roles also present high earning potential, with the upper 10% earning significantly more than the average.
Remember, salaries for foremen may fluctuate based on factors such as experience, industry, and geographical location. Conducting thorough research on competitive salaries in your area and negotiating based on that information is advisable.
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Where do foremen get paid the most?
Foremen tend to earn the highest salaries in West Virginia. In this state, foremen receive an average annual salary of $54,905, which equates to an hourly wage of $26.40.
Following West Virginia, states with high foreman salaries include New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, with average annual salaries of $54,734, $57,356, and $57,661 respectively.
The cities offering the best salaries for foremen are:
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
