Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of foremen that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of foremen:
-
Hacker is the highest-paid type of foreman with an average salary of $88,716 and an average hourly rate of $42.65.
-
The second highest-paying type of foreman is shop foreman, with an average salary of $68,171.
-
The average foreman salary is $55,073 per year, and the average hourly pay is $26.48.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a foreman, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of foremen are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of foremen:
-
Hacker
Average Salary: $88,716
-
Shop Foreman
Average Salary: $68,171
A shop foreman is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of a shop, ensuring that the staff members perform their duties to address customers’ needs. A shop foreman manages staffing schedules, trains new employees, and distributes tasks. They often work in manufacturing, automotive, and warehouse industries, which require knowledge of operating equipment. A shop foreman must have excellent leadership and communication skills, especially on addressing customers’ inquiries and complaints and performing clerical tasks as needed.
-
Site Foreman
Average Salary: $62,771
-
Carpenter Foreman
Average Salary: $58,922
A Carpenter Foreman supervises the work of a group of people engaged in carpentry, locksmith, or bricklaying work. They inspect buildings or other structures reported to be in need of repair and estimate the necessary time and materials for restoring them.
-
Construction Foreman
Average Salary: $57,121
A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various foreman that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
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
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for foremen.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Foreman Jobs FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid foreman job?
The highest-paid foreman job is a hacker. Hackers earn an average salary of $88,716, which is $ 42.65 hourly.
-
What is a good salary for a foreman?
A good salary for a foreman is $55,073 or more. The average foreman salary is $55,073, so those making at least $55,073 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average foreman salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a foreman, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $55,073 average, as this includes all foremen of all skill and experience levels.
-
Do Foreman jobs pay well?
Yes, foreman jobs pay well. As in any industry, some foreman jobs pay better than others, but the average foreman salary of $55,073 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many foreman jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of foremen earning $0 a year on average.
Foremen’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a foreman. Do your research on the going rate for a foreman in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
-
Where do foremen get paid the most?
Foremen get paid the most in West Virginia. In West Virginia, foremen earn an average annual salary of $54,905 and an average hourly wage of $26.40.
Following WV, the states with the highest-paid foremen are New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Oregon, with average annual salaries of $54,734, $57,356, and $57,661 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid foreman salaries 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.
