Production Supervisor salary guide 2026
A production supervisor in the U.S. earns a median base salary of about $77,000 in 2026. That estimate applies the 3.4% average 2026 pay increase reported by Mercer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median of $74,450 for first-line supervisors of production and operating workers. The middle half earn about $60,500 to $95,000.
$77,000
Estimated median base, 2026
$60,500–$95,000
Middle 50% of earners, 2026 est.
$112,500
Top 10% earn above, 2026 est.
What the role involves
Production supervisors lead the people on a shift or line, keep output on schedule, and own safety and quality on the floor. Many are promoted from within, which makes strong outside candidates harder to find. Pay rises with team size, shift, and technical complexity.
Production Supervisor pay by percentile
| Percentile | BLS, May 2025 | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,130 | $48,500 |
| 25th percentile | $58,630 | $60,500 |
| Median | $74,450 | $77,000 |
| 75th percentile | $91,680 | $95,000 |
| 90th percentile | $108,750 | $112,500 |
BLS occupation: First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers (SOC 51-1011).
What moves production supervisor pay
Second and third shift supervisor roles are the hardest to fill and often carry a shift differential.
Supervisors with lean and safety training are the easiest to develop into future plant leaders.
Bonus and incentives
Production supervisors may earn shift differentials and an annual bonus tied to safety, output, and quality.
Key skills
Frequently asked questions
How we calculated these figures
National figures are Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates for May 2025, released May 15, 2026, the most recent official data. 2026 estimates apply the 3.4% average total pay increase U.S. employers delivered in 2026, from Mercer's survey of 756 employers. BLS wages include base pay, commissions, and production bonuses, but exclude benefits, overtime premiums, and equity.
Hiring a production supervisor?
A flat-fee production supervisor search with Colossus is $18,000, fixed wherever the offer lands, with a 12-month replacement guarantee. Prefer to pay only when your hire starts? Contingent search is 25% of first-year base salary, about $19,250 at a $77,000 salary.
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