Career profile · 49-1011
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.
What the work can involve
- Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
- Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
- Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
- Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
- Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
- Compute estimates and actual costs of factors such as materials, labor, or outside contractors.
Selected core tasks from O*NET 31.0. Responsibilities vary by employer, specialization and experience.
Preparation and entry routes
This broad O*NET group commonly involves vocational training, related experience or an associate-level route. It does not mean every course in a related subject meets the requirements.
Check the route for the specific occupation where you plan to work. Education, employer experience requirements, occupational licensing and industry certification can be separate steps.
Understand the different credentials →Skills used in this occupation
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Knowledge to build
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- English Language
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Common work activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Getting Information
Selected from the highest importance ratings available in O*NET 31.0. These describe the occupation, not a particular school's curriculum.
Training subjects to investigate
The federal education-to-occupation crosswalk connects this role to the subjects below. These links do not endorse a school or guarantee that any particular award qualifies a graduate for the job.
- Electrical and Power Transmission Installation/Installer, General81 institutions →
- Lineworker92 institutions →
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technology/Technician, General27 institutions →
- High Performance and Custom Engine Technician/Mechanic14 institutions →
- Recreation Vehicle (RV) Service Technician1 institutions →
- Energy Systems Installation and Repair Technology/Technician6 institutions →
- Solar Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician8 institutions →
- Wind Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician4 institutions →
Working conditions to consider
These are the most common published responses to selected O*NET work-setting questions. They describe occupation-level survey findings, not every employer or a particular job.
| Work-setting question | Most common response | Share giving that response |
|---|---|---|
| Contact With Others | Constant contact with others | 90.0%08/2021 · sample 44 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | Every day | 51.4%08/2021 · sample 44 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | Never | 82.1%08/2021 · sample 44 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | Never | 32.5%08/2021 · sample 45 |
| Spend Time Sitting | Less than half the time | 31.1%08/2021 · sample 44 |
| Spend Time Standing | Less than half the time | 30.8%08/2021 · sample 45 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | Continually or almost continually | 42.5%08/2021 · sample 45 |
| Time Pressure | Every day | 38.4%08/2021 · sample 44 |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | Every day | 61.5%08/2021 · sample 45 |
| Work Schedules | Irregular (changes with weather conditions, production demands, or contract duration) | 50.7%08/2021 · sample 45 |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, selected topics. Only unsuppressed source responses with sample size at least 10 are shown. A most-common response need not be a majority. Sampling uncertainty applies; source dates vary. Ask employers about actual schedules, accessibility, protective equipment and working conditions.
Software used in the workplace
Use these O*NET examples to ask how a course builds practical digital skills. They are workplace examples, not a required shopping list or confirmation of a school’s curriculum.
- Accounting software: Cost accounting software
- Calendar and scheduling software: Scheduling software
- Communications server software: IBM Domino
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD
- Data base user interface and query software: Database software, Microsoft Access, Recordkeeping software, Vehicle management software
- Document management software: Microsoft SharePoint
- Electronic mail software: Email software, IBM Notes, Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Infor ERP SyteLine, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, SAP software
- Facilities management software: Computerized maintenance management system CMMS, Maintenance management software
- Industrial control software: Programmable logic controller PLC software, Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Internet browser software: Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Inventory management software: Automated inventory software
Selected categories and examples from O*NET 31.0 Software Skills. Products and employer requirements change. These examples are not endorsements; check the complete official occupation profile.
Physical demands and schedule evidence
BLS surveyed jobs in the broader occupation First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers (SOC 49-1011). These preliminary 2025 estimates describe work requirements across surveyed employers. Individual workplaces, adjustments and duties differ.
Explore 57 occupational requirement estimates
| Requirement | Share of workers | Standard error |
|---|---|---|
| Workers that had work schedule variability required This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 54.8% | 6.6 percentage points |
| Workers that had the ability to pause work This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 91.6% | 2.4 percentage points |
| Workers that had the ability to telework | 1.9% | 1.2 percentage points |
| Workers that required on-the-job training | 48.4% | 5.0 percentage points |
| Workers that required prior work experience This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 98.9% | 0.6 percentage points |
| Workers that were not exposed to extreme cold This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 97.9% | 1.0 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, seldom Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, occasionally | 1.8% | 0.9 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme cold | 2.1% | 1.0 percentage points |
| Workers that were not exposed to extreme heat This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 96.6% | 1.3 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, seldom | 2.5% | 1.1 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, occasionally | 1.0% | 0.7 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to extreme heat | 3.4% | 1.3 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to quiet noise | 3.6% | 2.9 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to moderate noise This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 93.7% | 3.5 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to loud noise Estimate is less than 10 percent. | <10% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that were exposed to very loud noise Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that used personal protective equipment to mitigate exposure to noise | 20.8% | 4.2 percentage points |
| Workers that were not exposed to outdoors | 22.1% | 4.1 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, seldom | 27.3% | 5.1 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, occasionally This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 40.5% | 8.6 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, frequently | 7.4% | 2.2 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors, constantly | 2.7% | 1.1 percentage points |
| Workers that were exposed to outdoors | 77.9% | 4.1 percentage points |
| Workers that were allowed the choice of sitting or standing This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 52.2% | 9.8 percentage points |
| Workers that were not allowed the choice of sitting or standing | 47.8% | 9.8 percentage points |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, seldom This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 40.4% | 8.8 percentage points |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, occasionally | 10.5% | 4.0 percentage points |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required climbing ladders, ropes, or scaffolds | 50.9% | 8.3 percentage points |
| Workers that required driving This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 66.3% | 8.9 percentage points |
| Workers that required low postures, seldom | 24.9% | 7.1 percentage points |
| Workers that required low postures, occasionally This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 47.9% | 8.1 percentage points |
| Workers that required low postures, frequently | 0.5% | Not published Standard error is less than 0.5. |
| Workers that required low postures, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required work in low postures | 73.4% | 7.7 percentage points |
| Workers that could choose to crawl when in low postures | 5.2% | 3.1 percentage points |
| Workers that could choose to stoop when in low postures This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 45.2% | 9.4 percentage points |
| Workers that could choose to kneel when in low postures This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 40.1% | 7.9 percentage points |
| Workers that could choose to crouch when in low postures This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 46.5% | 9.5 percentage points |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, seldom This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 38.7% | 6.2 percentage points |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, occasionally | 23.3% | 8.5 percentage points |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, frequently Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead, constantly Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
| Workers that required reaching overhead with one hand | 4.1% | 1.6 percentage points |
| Workers that required reaching overhead with both hands This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 57.9% | 8.2 percentage points |
| Workers that required reaching overhead | 62.0% | 8.2 percentage points |
| Workers that required a sedentary strength level | 7.4% | 2.6 percentage points |
| Workers that required a light strength level | 34.2% | 6.0 percentage points |
| Workers that required a medium strength level This estimate is the mode for the category group. | 52.7% | 7.2 percentage points |
| Workers that required a heavy strength level | 5.7% | 1.6 percentage points |
| Workers that required a very heavy strength level Estimate is less than 0.5 percent. | <0.5% | Not published The standard error is not available for this estimate. |
Use this evidence to ask about the actual work environment and available accommodations. It is not a medical assessment or a reason to rule yourself out of an occupation.
BLS Occupational Requirements Survey, preliminary 2025, released January 16, 2026; samples collected August 2023–July 2025. Source bounds such as “less than” are preserved. Categories are not necessarily additive. Understanding standard errors.
Pay & employment outlook
Salary estimates for first-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers
The median divides workers into two equally sized groups by pay. It is not a starting salary, a school’s graduate outcome or a promise of employment. Lower percentiles are not automatically new graduates.
National outlook: 2025–2035
- Typical education for entry
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- Typical on-the-job training
- None
BLS national employment projections, 2025–2035. Openings include people leaving occupations or the labor force; these are not advertised vacancies. Education categories describe typical entry, not legal eligibility or a guarantee that any specific program is sufficient.
Compare wages across 51 state/DC estimates
| State | Annual median | Hourly median | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,830 | $35.98 | 13,390 |
| Alaska | $98,110 | $47.17 | 2,720 |
| Arizona | $76,240 | $36.66 | 13,490 |
| Arkansas | $71,460 | $34.36 | 7,590 |
| California | $93,660 | $45.03 | 51,670 |
| Colorado | $83,260 | $40.03 | 13,590 |
| Connecticut | $94,050 | $45.22 | 6,230 |
| Delaware | $83,250 | $40.03 | 1,890 |
| District of Columbia | $83,460 | $40.13 | 1,260 |
| Florida | $75,900 | $36.49 | 41,250 |
| Georgia | $77,010 | $37.02 | 23,180 |
| Hawaii | $87,550 | $42.09 | 3,380 |
| Idaho | $74,940 | $36.03 | 3,780 |
| Illinois | $83,180 | $39.99 | 17,710 |
| Indiana | $79,650 | $38.29 | 13,210 |
| Iowa | $78,340 | $37.67 | 6,450 |
| Kansas | $78,390 | $37.69 | 6,780 |
| Kentucky | $76,760 | $36.91 | 10,020 |
| Louisiana | $75,550 | $36.32 | 10,490 |
| Maine | $79,260 | $38.11 | 2,640 |
| Maryland | $82,330 | $39.58 | 10,120 |
| Massachusetts | $92,250 | $44.35 | 12,140 |
| Michigan | $77,810 | $37.41 | 15,740 |
| Minnesota | $87,160 | $41.90 | 9,110 |
| Mississippi | $70,900 | $34.09 | 6,930 |
| Missouri | $77,470 | $37.25 | 11,220 |
| Montana | $81,440 | $39.15 | 2,690 |
| Nebraska | $77,850 | $37.43 | 4,610 |
| Nevada | $79,860 | $38.39 | 5,450 |
| New Hampshire | $87,560 | $42.10 | 3,360 |
| New Jersey | $92,680 | $44.56 | 14,930 |
| New Mexico | $77,550 | $37.28 | 3,780 |
| New York | $91,150 | $43.82 | 26,930 |
| North Carolina | $76,800 | $36.92 | 21,110 |
| North Dakota | $90,600 | $43.56 | 1,920 |
| Ohio | $78,730 | $37.85 | 19,410 |
| Oklahoma | $77,040 | $37.04 | 10,260 |
| Oregon | $86,970 | $41.81 | 7,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $79,400 | $38.17 | 20,220 |
| Rhode Island | $78,840 | $37.91 | 1,460 |
| South Carolina | $75,120 | $36.12 | 10,140 |
| South Dakota | $80,810 | $38.85 | 1,750 |
| Tennessee | $75,830 | $36.46 | 15,070 |
| Texas | $76,760 | $36.90 | 75,340 |
| Utah | $78,930 | $37.95 | 6,980 |
| Vermont | $83,050 | $39.93 | 630 |
| Virginia | $80,770 | $38.83 | 16,910 |
| Washington | $94,420 | $45.39 | 14,680 |
| West Virginia | $71,360 | $34.31 | 4,070 |
| Wisconsin | $82,570 | $39.70 | 10,640 |
| Wyoming | $87,460 | $42.05 | 2,030 |
Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan wages
Search the 529 published local-area estimates for this occupation. Metropolitan areas can cross state lines; a city’s postal name is not necessarily the statistical area’s name.
Sources: BLS May 2025 OEWS public downloads and 2025–2035 employment projections, retrieved September 9, 2026. Unpublished estimates stay unavailable. “+” means BLS’s upper reporting threshold ($239,200 annually or $115 hourly). Wages exclude self-employment and nonwage benefits. How to interpret these figures.
Compare the route and prepare for work
Questions to test the fit
- What does an entry-level working day look like, and how does it differ from the experienced role described here?
- Which tasks, work environments and schedules would I enjoy or find difficult?
- What education, supervised practice and credentials do local employers actually request?
- Can I speak with someone in the occupation or arrange a suitable workplace visit?
- How does the complete training cost compare with my realistic budget and available routes?
Related occupations to compare
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics→
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay→
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers→
- Geothermal Technicians→
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics→
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other→
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians→
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers→
Related through shared training-subject mappings. Entry requirements can differ substantially.
Sources and attribution
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. Trade School Guides selects and organizes the material and adds explanatory guidance. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Occupation code: 49-1011.00.
Training connections: CIP 2020–SOC 2018 crosswalk. Snapshot: September 8, 2026. See the methodology.