Manufacturing supervisor vs line supervisor

The differences between manufacturing supervisors and line supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a manufacturing supervisor and a line supervisor. Additionally, a manufacturing supervisor has an average salary of $71,330, which is higher than the $55,107 average annual salary of a line supervisor.

The top three skills for a manufacturing supervisor include continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and safety regulations. The most important skills for a line supervisor are safety procedures, direct supervision, and safety rules.

Manufacturing supervisor vs line supervisor overview

	Manufacturing Supervisor	Line Supervisor
Yearly salary	$71,330	$55,107
Hourly rate	$34.29	$26.49
Growth rate	3%	-
Number of jobs	68,725	105,473
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

What does a manufacturing supervisor do?

A manufacturing supervisor is a management-level employee who takes responsibility for the daily operations of the production processes in the manufacturing sector. Manufacturing supervisors execute different roles as sponsors, coaches, directors, counselors, and educators. They supervise staff, organize the production team, and monitor the overall workflow. There are necessary skills for this position, including adaptability, cooperation, verbal and written communication, and conflict resolution. The supervisors are also expected to be skilled in mentorship and in making a sound decision.

What does a line supervisor do?

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.

Manufacturing supervisor vs line supervisor salary

Manufacturing supervisors and line supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manufacturing Supervisor	Line Supervisor
Average salary	$71,330	$55,107
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $92,000	Between $36,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City	Newark, NJ	Ewing, NJ
Highest paying state	Maine	Wyoming
Best paying company	Boehringer Ingelheim	EMC Insurance
Best paying industry	Pharmaceutical	-

Differences between manufacturing supervisor and line supervisor education

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

	Manufacturing Supervisor	Line Supervisor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Manufacturing supervisor vs line supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between manufacturing supervisors' and line supervisors' demographics:

	Manufacturing Supervisor	Line Supervisor
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 83.7% Female, 16.3%	Male, 71.6% Female, 28.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 4.4% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 4.7% White, 60.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	6%	6%

Differences between manufacturing supervisor and line supervisor duties and responsibilities

Manufacturing supervisor example responsibilities.

Conduct all safety meeting and manage the employee's time keeping (Kronos).
Review and correct documentation and batch records while managing RODAC testing and leading CAPA investigations.
Lead, develop, and implement the KANBAN system by providing better flows of raw material and production.
Manage a team of 16-35 to insure packaging lines are running to standards as far as USDA guidelines and company productivity.
Lead sigma program driving quality, productivity and delivery improvements.
Manage a team of QC inspectors for inspecting automotive components from manufacturing line

Line supervisor example responsibilities.

Manage the quality control, safety, and sanitation for the second-process of poultry processing while adhering to FDA regulations.
Manage and develop associates base on organizational and developmental needs/conduct monthly one-on-ones with each employee to provide guidance and leadership.
Schedule crewing (union shop), production scheduling, MRP.
Run mechanical machinery to package FDA control medicine, build cardboard displays for different products and package them.
Operate manual and pneumatic tools and machinery used in the maintenance of vessels, HVAC and ice arena equipment.
Train maintenance personnel in diagnosing and repairing machines to minimize downtime and cost associated with the operation of all machinery.

Manufacturing supervisor vs line supervisor skills

Common manufacturing supervisor skills

Continuous Improvement, 10%
Lean Manufacturing, 9%
Safety Regulations, 5%
Quality Standards, 5%
GMP, 5%
Production Schedules, 5%

Common line supervisor skills

Safety Procedures, 15%
Direct Supervision, 14%
Safety Rules, 8%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
Food Safety, 5%
Assembly Line, 5%

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Manufacturing Supervisor
Manufacturing Supervisor vs Line Supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

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