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What is a shift supervisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A shift supervisor is a key management position in industries with shift-based work, such as manufacturing, retail, and hospitality. They oversee the daily operations of their shift, including managing employees, ensuring quality control, and meeting production or service goals. Shift supervisors are responsible for scheduling, training employees, monitoring inventory levels, and maintaining a safe, clean work environment. They also handle customer complaints and resolve any issues that arise during their shift.

ScoreShift SupervisorUS Average
Salary
2.7

Avg. Salary $34,141

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.4

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 6.92%

Black or African American 8.89%

Hispanic or Latino 17.19%

Unknown 4.68%

White 61.67%

Gender

female 50.87%

male 49.13%

Age - 42
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 - 42
Stress level
9.4

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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

Pros

  • Higher pay than entry-level positions

  • Opportunity to train and mentor employees

  • Exposure to various departments and functions

  • Potential for career advancement

  • Satisfaction from contributing to a team’s success

Cons

  • Long and irregular work hours, including weekends and holidays

  • High-stress environment with demanding responsibilities

  • Constant need to be available for employee questions or issues

  • Pressure to meet production targets and deadlines

  • Exposure to safety hazards or dangerous situations

Shift supervisor career paths

Key steps to become a shift supervisor

  1. Explore shift supervisor education requirements

    Most common shift supervisor degrees

    Bachelor's

    39.6 %

    High School Diploma

    25.3 %

    Associate

    23.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific shift supervisor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cash Handling19.33%
    Store Operations9.32%
    Store Management9.17%
    Loss Prevention7.38%
    Food Products6.64%
  3. Complete relevant shift supervisor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New shift 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 shift supervisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real shift supervisor resumes.
  4. Gain additional shift supervisor certifications

    Shift 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 shift supervisor certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for shift supervisors include Food Safety Manager Certification and OSHA Safety Certificate .

    More About Certifications
  5. Research shift supervisor duties and responsibilities

    • Content include math skills, how to manage a monthly budget, job searches, and managing a home.
    • Manage a team of energy consultants in daily production, SPH (sales per hr.
    • Evaluate daily job objectives and utilize knowledge of math, physics, and engineering to achieve the desired results.
    • Manage a part-time managerial shift supervisor position that require daily bookkeeping in POS system.
  6. Prepare your shift supervisor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your shift 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 shift 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 shift supervisor resume templates

    Build a professional shift 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 shift supervisor resume.
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    Shift Supervisor Resume
  7. Apply for shift supervisor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a shift 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 shift supervisor job

Zippi

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Average shift supervisor salary

The average shift supervisor salary in the United States is $34,141 per year or $16 per hour. Shift supervisor salaries range between $26,000 and $44,000 per year.

Average shift supervisor salary
$34,141 Yearly
$16.41 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do shift supervisors rate their job?

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Shift supervisor reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2022
Pros

Being able to create a work environment where people flourish, come together, build good relationships form positive teamwork, watching work flow smoothly, reaching or exceeding goals, and be accountable. 2. An opportunity to learn shop floor activities technically and also to develop managerial skills.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2020
Pros

Team work , layout understand ing, and clients conversations skills


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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.


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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.