Highest-Paying Supervisor Jobs [2023]

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 supervisors that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.

Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of supervisors:

• Production Supervisor is the highest-paid type of supervisor with an average salary of $63,391 and an average hourly rate of $30.48.

• The second highest-paying type of supervisor is team supervisor, with an average salary of $58,718.

• The average supervisor salary is $53,902 per year, and the average hourly pay is $25.91.

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 supervisor, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of supervisors are so that you can plan your career progression.

Here are the top salaries for different types of supervisors:

1. Production Supervisor

   Average Salary: $63,391

   Production supervisors are employees who oversee the production process, usually handling activities directly related to people management. They manage employees by ensuring that the production floor employees are doing their work well and are motivated. Production supervisors guide employees and ensure that everyone is working towards company goals. They properly communicate these goals as well as the strategies to meet the set goals. Production supervisors have a direct hand in the hiring and subsequent training of employees. They should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and leadership skills.

2. Team Supervisor

   Average Salary: $58,718

   The responsibilities of a team supervisor depend on one’s place or industry of employment. Most of the time, it is their role to oversee operations and work performance within the team, delegate tasks, set the budget and sales target, train new members of the workforce, and ensure to meet all goals while maintaining efficiency in all aspects. Furthermore, as a team supervisor, it is essential to lead and encourage the staff to their fullest potential and implement the workplace’s policies.

3. Operation Supervisor

   Average Salary: $57,279

   Operations supervisors manage a specific operations-related team or department. They ensure that all the agreed-upon key performance indicators are being met. They also address any performance challenges and strategize on how to improve different areas in the team. They communicate team goals and balance the organization’s requirements with the team’s profile. Operations supervisors also manage the employees under their department. They hire for vacancies and train new employees. They also ensure that employees are properly coached for improvement. Operations supervisors are expected to be strategic, personable, and good communicators.

4. Field Operations Supervisor

   Average Salary: $55,952

   Field operations supervisors are professionals who supervise staff members to ensure that an organization is running smoothly and effectively to produce increased sales and profits. These supervisors are required to develop operational policies and procedures to increase business growth while implementing best practices to improve operational efficiency. They must participate in creating an annual budget so that they can manage expenses within the assigned budget. Field operations supervisors must also prepare effective training programs and conduct performance evaluations of the office staff.

5. Line Supervisor

   Average Salary: $55,107

   A line supervisor is responsible for monitoring the line operations within an organization, ensuring the adequacy of line staff on production, and supervising the quality control processes. Line supervisors enforce the highest safety standards and procedures within the premises to avoid operation hazards that might cause delays in the production. They also train new employees, coordinate with the management for process improvement, and develop strategic techniques to minimize excessive costings without compromising the service quality.

Below is a full table of the average pay for various supervisor that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.

Highest-Paying Types Of Supervisors

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 supervisors.

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 Supervisor Jobs FAQs

1. What is the highest-paid supervisor job?

   The highest-paid supervisor job is a production supervisor. Production Supervisors earn an average salary of $63,391, which is $ 30.48 hourly.

   Production supervisors are employees who oversee the production process, usually handling activities directly related to people management. They manage employees by ensuring that the production floor employees are doing their work well and are motivated. Production supervisors guide employees and ensure that everyone is working towards company goals. They properly communicate these goals as well as the strategies to meet the set goals. Production supervisors have a direct hand in the hiring and subsequent training of employees. They should have good communication skills, decision-making skills, and leadership skills.

2. What is a good salary for a supervisor?

   A good salary for a supervisor is $53,902 or more. The average supervisor salary is $53,902, so those making at least $53,902 are earning above-average paychecks.

   Keep in mind, however, that the average supervisor 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 supervisor, the average entry level salary is $53,147, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $53,902 average, as this includes all supervisors of all skill and experience levels.

3. Do Supervisor jobs pay well?

   Yes, supervisor jobs pay well. As in any industry, some supervisor jobs pay better than others, but the average supervisor salary of $53,902 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.

   In addition to this, many supervisor jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of supervisors earning $68,111 a year on average.

   Supervisors’ 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 supervisor. Do your research on the going rate for a supervisor in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.

4. Where do supervisors get paid the most?

   Supervisors get paid the most in Connecticut. In Connecticut, supervisors earn an average annual salary of $68,066 and an average hourly wage of $32.72.

   Following CT, the states with the highest-paid supervisors are New Jersey, New York, and Michigan, with average annual salaries of $71,100, $66,576, and $59,364 respectively.

   The cities with the highest-paid supervisor salaries are:

   1. New York, NY – $67,130

   2. Washington, DC – $64,714

   3. Reno, NV – $64,410

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.