Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers oversee teams and daily operations in construction and extraction settings. National employment is sizable at 922,000, indicating a widely needed role across the country. The career shows projected employment growth of 5.3%, with an estimated 74,000 annual openings, suggesting consistent movement in and out of these positions. Typical entry into this occupation is based on having at least a high school diploma or equivalent, combined with the right mix of skills and experience. The role leans heavily on leadership, problem solving and decision making, and project management, supported by mechanical knowledge, mathematics, and attention to detail. Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, customer service, and some grounding in science round out the profile. With competitive national median pay and a broad employment base in many states and metro areas, this occupation offers a structured path for people who want to advance into supervisory positions in construction and extraction environments.
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers earn a national median annual salary of $78,690. Pay levels vary by location, creating different earning profiles for job seekers. Among top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, median salaries range from $81,230 in Colorado to $109,570 in Washington. California and Massachusetts offer median salaries of $97,680 and $97,850, respectively, while New York stands at $95,700. Certain metro areas show even higher pay levels. San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA reports a median salary of $129,700, and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA is at $120,810. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro shows $103,990, while Boston–Cambridge–Newton offers $99,890 and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria reports $83,540. These figures indicate that supervisors can see significantly different earnings depending on where they choose to work, with some metros and states providing substantially higher median pay than the national level.
First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers have a notable presence in the labor market, with national employment at 922,000. The occupation is projected to grow by 5.3%, pointing to an expanding need over the projection period. In addition to growth, there are projected to be 74,000 annual openings. These openings reflect both new positions and movement within the occupation, creating recurring opportunities for new supervisors and those looking to move between employers or locations. The combination of a large employment base, positive projected growth, and substantial annual openings suggests a relatively dynamic job market. Job seekers who meet the education and skill expectations may find recurring chances to enter or advance within this career. For experienced workers in related trades looking to step into supervisory roles, the projected growth and turnover implied by the annual openings can support ongoing opportunities over time.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington stand out based on CareerGPS opportunity scores. Washington combines the highest listed state median salary at $109,570 with an opportunity score of 56.29. California and Massachusetts both have median salaries near $98,000 and opportunity scores above 65, while New York offers $95,700 with a similarly strong score. Colorado shows a median salary of $81,230 and an opportunity score of 56.97, reflecting a different balance of pay and other opportunity factors. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with a median salary of $129,700 and the highest opportunity score of 77.42. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and median salary of $103,990. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria also offer strong scores and competitive salaries, giving candidates multiple regional options to consider.
For first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers, the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. This creates a pathway into a supervisory role that does not necessarily require a college degree, while still demanding a solid mix of capabilities. Leadership is central, as these supervisors guide crews and coordinate work. Problem solving and decision making, along with project management, support effective planning and handling of day-to-day issues. Mechanical aptitude, mathematics, and being detail oriented underpin accurate and efficient work in technical environments. Adaptability and interpersonal skills help supervisors work with varied teams and respond to changing conditions, while customer service skills support interactions with clients or stakeholders. Science knowledge further strengthens understanding of certain technical aspects. Together, these skills complement the typical education level and provide a framework for developing into an effective first-line supervisor in construction and extraction settings.
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