All careers › First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Material moving worker supervisors: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $43,360lowest 10% earn less
- $50,07025th percentile
- $62,890median
- $78,16075th percentile
- $96,150top 10% earn more
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers had a median pay of $62,890 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +3%[2]
- Openings per year
- 54,900[5]
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent[6]
How much do material moving worker supervisors make?
BLS groups this work under First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors. The median wage was $62,890 a year, or $30.23 an hour[1]. That means half the workers made more than this and half made less[1]. The average was $66,860 a year, or $32.14 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].
Pay varies widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $43,360 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $50,070[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $78,160, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $96,150[3]. Each percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[8].
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][9] | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| 25th percentile[3][9] | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Median[1] | $62,890 | $30.23 |
| 75th percentile[3][9] | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| 90th percentile[3][9] | $96,150 | $46.23 |
These figures cover full-time and part-time wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses outside regular production or the cost of benefits[10].
Pay by state and city
Washington had the highest median annual wage at $74,250[11]. Maryland came next at $74,070, then Rhode Island at $72,750[11]. The states with the most jobs were California (67,920), Texas (60,700) and Florida (34,650)[12].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA had the highest median at $76,390[13]. Casper, WY followed at $76,290, then Walla Walla, WA at $75,800[13]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, with 35,860 jobs and a median of $71,510[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had 22,930 jobs and a median of $62,190[14].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[11] | $74,250 | 14,000 |
| Maryland | $74,070 | 11,990 |
| Rhode Island | $72,750 | 1,520 |
| Wyoming | $70,590 | 1,560 |
| Minnesota | $68,430 | 9,410 |
| New Jersey | $67,980 | 25,110 |
| New York | $67,300 | 29,280 |
| Massachusetts | $65,570 | 10,660 |
| California | $65,550 | 67,920 |
| Connecticut | $65,440 | 5,870 |
| Illinois | $65,420 | 25,270 |
| Colorado | $65,380 | 11,890 |
| North Dakota | $65,070 | 1,930 |
| Hawaii | $65,000 | 3,130 |
| South Dakota | $64,780 | 1,340 |
| Indiana | $64,700 | 15,250 |
| Wisconsin | $64,560 | 11,140 |
| Alaska | $64,420 | 1,830 |
| New Hampshire | $63,950 | 2,440 |
| Georgia | $63,540 | 26,660 |
| South Carolina | $63,470 | 8,300 |
| Arizona | $63,360 | 11,190 |
| Kansas | $62,940 | 7,520 |
| Utah | $62,600 | 6,830 |
| Delaware | $62,510 | 2,270 |
| Virginia | $62,130 | 14,830 |
| Ohio | $61,760 | 23,100 |
| Oregon | $61,540 | 8,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,460 | 23,690 |
| Oklahoma | $61,270 | 8,130 |
| Tennessee | $61,160 | 17,290 |
| Florida | $61,000 | 34,650 |
| Montana | $60,670 | 1,990 |
| Nebraska | $60,630 | 3,530 |
| Iowa | $60,490 | 6,480 |
| Vermont | $60,410 | 910 |
| Missouri | $60,370 | 10,500 |
| Nevada | $60,340 | 6,290 |
| District of Columbia | $60,310 | 920 |
| Michigan | $60,280 | 14,600 |
| Louisiana | $60,260 | 8,120 |
| Kentucky | $60,090 | 10,180 |
| Maine | $60,090 | 2,370 |
| North Carolina | $60,070 | 21,540 |
| Texas | $60,000 | 60,700 |
| Alabama | $59,780 | 12,330 |
| Mississippi | $59,290 | 4,950 |
| Arkansas | $56,810 | 5,120 |
| Idaho | $56,290 | 3,070 |
| New Mexico | $55,790 | 3,250 |
| West Virginia | $52,420 | 2,670 |
How to become a material moving worker supervisor
BLS lists this typical path[6]:
- First: finish high school or earn an equivalent diploma[6].
- Next: gain work experience in a related occupation, which BLS puts at less than 5 years[6].
- Then: expect no typical on-the-job training once you are in the role[6].
The facts do not name any license or exam, and they do not say how long it takes to qualify.
How many people do this work?
About 623,640 people held these wage and salary jobs in May 2025[15]. Only 0.7% of these supervisors were self-employed in 2025[16].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 621,500 to 640,300 jobs, a gain of 18,800[2]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[17]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].
BLS expects about 54,900 openings a year on average[5]. Openings come from retirements and moves to other occupations as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 5.4% move to a different occupation[18].
Is it a good fit?
The median pay is above the median for all occupations[1][4]. The entry path asks for a high school diploma and some related experience[6]. Growth is close to the all-occupation rate, and BLS projects about 54,900 openings a year on average[2][17][5]. Pay differs by state, and the facts do not cover hours, licenses or day-to-day duties.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a material moving worker supervisor make an hour?
- The median was $30.23 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $32.14[1][7].
- What education do you need to supervise material moving workers?
- BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent, plus related work experience of less than 5 years[6].
- Is this job in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 54,900 openings a year[2][17][5].
- What is the highest paying state for this job?
- Washington had the highest median annual wage at $74,250[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors in the US was $62,890 per year and $30.23 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 621,500 to 640,300 jobs (a change of +18,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: 10th percentile $43,360, 25th percentile $50,070, 75th percentile $78,160, 90th percentile $96,150. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 54,900 openings for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors was $66,860 per year and $32.14 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: 10th percentile $20.85, 25th percentile $24.07, 75th percentile $37.58, 90th percentile $46.23. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors jobs: California 67,920; Texas 60,700; Florida 34,650; New York 29,280; Georgia 26,660. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $76,390; Casper, WY $76,290; Walla Walla, WA $75,800; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $75,460; Longview-Kelso, WA $75,270; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $74,240; Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $74,230; Stockton-Lodi, CA $73,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 35,860 (median $71,510); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 22,930 (median $62,190); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 19,490 (median $60,260); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 19,280 (median $68,330); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 16,900 (median $65,290); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 15,320 (median $60,760). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 623,640 people were employed as First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections