Post job

What is a lead supervisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

A lead supervisor is an individual who oversees and manages a team of employees in a specific department or area. They are responsible for ensuring that the team meets production goals, quality standards, and deadlines. They work closely with other supervisors, managers, and departments to ensure that operations run smoothly and efficiently. A lead supervisor plays a critical role in ensuring that the team is productive and successful in achieving company goals.

ScoreLead SupervisorUS Average
Salary
3.3

Avg. Salary $42,548

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
4.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.69%

Asian 4.36%

Black or African American 11.15%

Hispanic or Latino 20.07%

Unknown 4.04%

White 59.67%

Gender

female 37.02%

male 62.98%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.1

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.3

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a lead supervisor?

Pros

  • Increased responsibility and authority

  • Opportunity for career advancement

  • Potential for higher salary and benefits

  • Ability to mentor and develop team members

  • Opportunity for personal growth and development

Cons

  • High stress and pressure

  • Long hours and demanding workload

  • Difficult decision-making

  • Dealing with unhappy clients or stakeholders

  • Responsibility for team performance and outcomes

Lead supervisor career paths

Key steps to become a lead supervisor

  1. Explore lead supervisor education requirements

    Most common lead supervisor degrees

    Bachelor's

    38.6 %

    High School Diploma

    24.5 %

    Associate

    22.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific lead supervisor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Safety Procedures21.74%
    PET18.90%
    Payroll11.92%
    Customer Service11.26%
    Exceptional Guest9.91%
  3. Complete relevant lead supervisor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lead supervisors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a lead supervisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lead supervisor resumes.
  4. Gain additional lead supervisor certifications

    Lead supervisor certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific lead supervisor certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for lead supervisors include OSHA Safety Certificate and EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research lead supervisor duties and responsibilities

    • Direct and lead inventory control initiatives and conduct all safety committee meetings per OSHA requirements.
    • Plan, lead and participate in training, Kaizen and ongoing activities.
    • Follow the GMP's and safety guidelines, complete reports on computer and manually; and assist line workers.
    • Coordinate scheduling of several production lines involve in GMP manufacturing.
  6. Get lead supervisor experience

    Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a lead supervisor. The most common roles before becoming a lead supervisor include supervisor, cashier team lead and customer service representative.
  7. Prepare your lead supervisor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lead supervisor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a lead supervisor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable lead supervisor resume templates

    Build a professional lead supervisor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your lead supervisor resume.
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
    Lead Supervisor Resume
  8. Apply for lead supervisor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a lead supervisor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first lead supervisor job

Zippi

Are you a lead supervisor?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average lead supervisor salary

The average lead supervisor salary in the United States is $42,548 per year or $20 per hour. Lead supervisor salaries range between $25,000 and $72,000 per year.

Average lead supervisor salary
$42,548 Yearly
$20.46 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do lead supervisors rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Lead supervisor reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2022
Pros

Being part of the core team, making desicions and having a positive impact on my team daily , Expressing my abilities to grow as a leader face new challenges day to day. Put all my expierences and acknowlegment into action creating a postive enviroment to work.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Team work , layout understand ing, and clients conversations skills

Cons

On site rudly behavior


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

A great leader, leads by example. Leading organization with team effort, to learn and grow.

Cons

No effort in team work, disorganized, no leadership.


Working as a lead supervisor? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse production and manufacturing jobs