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
Less than 5 years
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.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers oversee teams that handle mechanical, installation, and repair work. This role combines technical understanding with leadership, project management, and problem-solving responsibilities. Nationally, there are about 618,000 people employed in these positions, indicating a sizable occupation with a broad presence. The typical entry point is a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible while still offering significant responsibility. National median pay of $78,300 reflects the added value of supervising people and work quality, not just performing hands-on tasks. Projected employment growth of 3.1% and about 52,000 annual openings suggest continuing demand, including both new positions and replacement needs. The role can appeal to experienced mechanics, installers, and repairers looking to move into leadership, as well as individuals who like combining mechanical knowledge with critical and analytical thinking, mathematics, and decision making. For many, it can be a long-term career path with advancement potential into broader supervisory or managerial roles.
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers earn a national median annual salary of $78,300. This reflects the combination of technical capability with leadership and project management responsibilities. Salaries vary substantially by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $94,420, California $93,660, Massachusetts $92,250, and New York $91,150, all notably higher than the national median. Colorado’s median of $83,260 is also above the national figure. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA area has a median salary of $104,070, and the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA area reports $102,360. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro shows $97,560, while Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH has $94,970. These differences highlight the importance of geography in earning potential for this occupation.
First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers have a sizable national employment base of about 618,000 workers. Projected growth of 3.1% indicates that total employment in this occupation is expected to increase over time. In addition to growth, there are about 52,000 annual openings, which reflect both newly created positions and opportunities arising when current supervisors retire, change occupations, or move into other roles. A combination of steady growth and a large number of openings suggests that people with the right mix of leadership, mechanical understanding, and problem-solving skills can find ongoing opportunities. The consistent 3.1% growth rate appearing across the highlighted states and metro areas underscores a generally similar projected pace of expansion in multiple regions. For individuals already working as mechanics, installers, or repairers, these trends support the potential to move into supervisory roles over the coming years.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity, pay, and scale for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers. Among states, California stands out with employment of 51,670 and a median salary of $93,660, coupled with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York and Massachusetts both combine relatively high median salaries ($91,150 and $92,250) with opportunity scores above 65. Colorado and Washington also rank among the top opportunity states, with median salaries of $83,260 and $94,420 and opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA leads with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $104,070, while the New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro is close behind with an opportunity score of 77.27 and median salary of $97,560. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also offer strong combinations of employment, pay, and opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the role accessible to individuals who may not pursue a four-year degree but who build strong technical and supervisory capabilities. Success in this occupation draws on a broad mix of skills. Leadership and project management are central, as supervisors coordinate people, timelines, and work quality. Mechanical skills, fine motor abilities, and physical strength and stamina support understanding and overseeing hands-on tasks. Problem solving and decision making, along with critical and analytical thinking, are important for addressing issues that arise in the field. Mathematics and science knowledge contribute to accurate measurements, technical reasoning, and understanding of mechanical systems. Creativity and innovation can help supervisors identify better ways to organize work and solve complex challenges. Together, these skills support progression from technical roles into supervisory positions.
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