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Boss vs supervisor

The differences between bosses and supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a boss, becoming a supervisor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a supervisor has an average salary of $53,902, which is higher than the $32,298 average annual salary of a boss.

The top three skills for a boss include CDL, customer service and safety procedures. The most important skills for a supervisor are customer service, safety procedures, and sales floor.

Boss vs supervisor overview

BossSupervisor
Yearly salary$32,298$53,902
Hourly rate$15.53$25.91
Growth rate6%-
Number of jobs2,345224,920
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4446
Years of experience42

What does a boss do?

A boss is responsible for leading the team in performing project operations, designating tasks, and resolving issues and discrepancies that may arise. These leaders implement corporate decisions for the business' best interests and client satisfaction. A boss regularly connects with the employees to determine their needs and concerns and guide them with their professional growth. To be a boss requires excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in encouraging the employees to reach their potentials and identify strategies to maximize their productivity.

What does a supervisor do?

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing the daily functions of employees in a specific team, department, or even a work shift. They create work schedules, organize work processes and workflows, train new hires, provide necessary reports related to the team function and the employees, monitor and evaluate employee performance, and ensure that goals of the specific team or department are met. When needed, supervisors also provide guidance to employees in terms of their career or even personal challenges. They also help in fostering harmonious work relationships by resolving interpersonal conflicts at work. To be successful in their role, they must have leadership skills, time management skills, decision-making capabilities, analytical skills, and problem-solving skills.

Boss vs supervisor salary

Bosses and supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

BossSupervisor
Average salary$32,298$53,902
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $41,000Between $31,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Reed Smith
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between boss and supervisor education

There are a few differences between a boss and a supervisor in terms of educational background:

BossSupervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Boss vs supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between bosses' and supervisors' demographics:

BossSupervisor
Average age4446
Gender ratioMale, 66.6% Female, 33.4%Male, 55.8% Female, 44.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage8%6%

Differences between boss and supervisor duties and responsibilities

Boss example responsibilities.

  • Install windows and gutters, and lead gutter crews.
  • Work with mowers, leaf blowers, weed eaters, chippers and firefighting tools to achieve fuel reduction projects.
  • Promote from housekeeping room attendant to front desk Jr.
  • Train in compass and GPS use.
  • Maintain monthly budget for food and accommodations.
  • Maintain companies RFA tracker & capitalise assets in ERP system.
  • Show more

Supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Lead continuous process improvement and six sigma teams to meet ISO 9001 and QS 9000 standards.
  • Manage and implement merchandising strategy for POS marketing and display inventory.
  • Lead comprehensive training for each new volunteer or court-mandate worker regarding OSHA regulations and warehouse procedure.
  • Organize care with 6 CNAs.
  • Coordinate lifeguard duty schedule for all pools.
  • Maintain cleanliness throughout kitchen, coolers, and freezer areas.
  • Show more

Boss vs supervisor skills

Common boss skills
  • CDL, 50%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Sales Floor, 4%
  • Windows, 3%
  • HR, 3%
Common supervisor skills
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Sales Floor, 9%
  • POS, 9%
  • Direct Supervision, 9%
  • Payroll, 5%

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