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Leader vs line leader

The differences between leaders and line leaders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a leader and a line leader. Additionally, a leader has an average salary of $86,964, which is higher than the $36,217 average annual salary of a line leader.

The top three skills for a leader include customer service, strong time management and excellent interpersonal. The most important skills for a line leader are continuous improvement, customer service, and safety procedures.

Leader vs line leader overview

LeaderLine Leader
Yearly salary$86,964$36,217
Hourly rate$41.81$17.41
Growth rate10%-
Number of jobs172,293130,588
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%High School Diploma, 43%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a leader do?

Leaders pave the way for a company to achieve certain goals. They are in charge of bringing the organization to greater heights. They set the direction of the organization, much like how a captain sets the sails of the ship. They are responsible for coming up with main strategies and alternatives should there be challenges along the way. Leaders ensure that the company is guided by its vision and mission and that the employees emulate company values. They do so through leading by example. Leaders should have strategic skills, decision-making skills, and interpersonal skills.

What does a line leader do?

Production line leaders or production team leaders typically work in the manufacturing industry. These leaders undertake both mental and physical work, including filing reports and paperwork, helping in order completion, and managing production assembly lines. They physically contain construction materials to ensure correct handling. Also, they oversee the varying activities within the organization or department. Among their tasks include inventory control, data entry, and product quality.

Leader vs line leader salary

Leaders and line leaders have different pay scales, as shown below.

LeaderLine Leader
Average salary$86,964$36,217
Salary rangeBetween $49,000 And $153,000Between $23,000 And $55,000
Highest paying CityPortland, MEBoston, MA
Highest paying stateMaineMassachusetts
Best paying companyEli Lilly and CompanyMicrosoft
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between leader and line leader education

There are a few differences between a leader and a line leader in terms of educational background:

LeaderLine Leader
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%High School Diploma, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Leader vs line leader demographics

Here are the differences between leaders' and line leaders' demographics:

LeaderLine Leader
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 49.8% Female, 50.2%Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 61.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between leader and line leader duties and responsibilities

Leader example responsibilities.

  • Manage UNIX and mainframe systems software staff.
  • Achieve business metrics and implement WCM tools and processes.
  • Lead instrument calibration, OOS investigation, change control, deviation documentation to comply with GMP.
  • Lead a group to help a dog food producer to gain traction in the grocery store channel
  • Perform diagnostics, lead audits, kaizen events, value stream mapping, PDCA teams and employee involvement.
  • Lead in PTA efforts to recognize school staff by planning events and organize and plan monthly appreciation gifts.
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Line leader example responsibilities.

  • Lead Kaizen event to establish best practices for estimating methodology and reporting templates.
  • Manage and develop associates base on organizational and developmental needs/conduct monthly one-on-ones with each employee to provide guidance and leadership.
  • Gain knowledge of USDA, OSHA, HACCP, VPP, and ISO regulations and requirements within a manufacturing environment.
  • Walk with QA and USDA around floor to ensure are that all areas are up to standards and ready for production.
  • Used SMT to place capacitors onto PCB.
  • Develop and maintain a safe manufacturing environment by assuring compliance with OSHA and CFR applicable as company policies.
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Leader vs line leader skills

Common leader skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Strong Time Management, 9%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 7%
  • PET, 6%
  • Digital Transformation, 6%
  • Work Ethic, 5%
Common line leader skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Quality Checks, 6%
  • Assembly Line, 5%
  • GMP, 4%

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