TRADES Zone 3: Medium Preparation

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers earn $48,590 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $39,050 and $61,100. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers

Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers.


Median Wage
$48,590
Employed Nationally
114K
Openings / Year
16,300
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

Also known as:

Adult Family Home Program Manager Animal Trainer Supervisor Aquatics Supervisor Bar and Restaurant Manager Barber Shop Manager

How Much Do First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers Make?

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers earn $48,590 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,050 and $61,100. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$48,590
National Median (Annual)

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$39K–$61K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

What Do First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Train workers in proper operational procedures and functions and explain company policies.
  • Meet with managers or other supervisors to stay informed of changes affecting operations.
  • Assign work schedules, following work requirements, to ensure quality and timely delivery of service.
  • Recruit and hire staff members.
  • Resolve customer complaints regarding worker performance or services rendered.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Active Listening Critical Thinking Speaking Social Perceptiveness Coordination

Who Thrives Here

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

C
Conventional

Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.

S
Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

Where Do First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
High

High time pressure and significant consequences for errors. Deadline-driven or high-stakes decisions are common.

What Is the Job Outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers?

The BLS projects +6.7% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 16,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +6.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

About as fast as average.

16,300
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

114K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $48,590 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 Texas 11,010 $41,340 -14.9%
2 California 8,940 $51,060 +5.1%
3 New York 8,500 $56,320 +15.9%
4 Pennsylvania 6,050 $46,440 -4.4%
5 Florida 4,920 $46,070 -5.2%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

High school diploma or equivalent
Zone 3: Medium Preparation

A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Cosmetology 132,103 1,625

Top Colleges for Aspiring First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 Chipola College Marianna, FL 88 $1,133 $37,378
2 South Georgia Technical College Americus, GA 86 $1,164 $30,364
3 South Florida State College Avon Park, FL 86 $3,877 $39,990
4 Florida Gateway College Lake City, FL 86 $5,364 $37,894
5 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro, TN 86 $6,631 $40,869
6 Southwest Mississippi Community College Summit, MS 85 $2,525 $33,227

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers Pros & Cons

The data on First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Steady job outlook The BLS projects +6.7% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
  • Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
  • Modest median salary At $48,590 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.

First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers Frequently Asked Questions

How much do First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers is $48,590, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,050 and $61,100. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers a good career?
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers involves trade-offs worth understanding before committing. At $48,590 median, programs with high tuition are difficult to justify on salary return alone. Prioritize in-state public schools or employer-sponsored pathways. Job growth is projected at +6.7% through 2034. Genuine interest in the work, not just the salary, matters most here.
How do I become a First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers?
Most First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Cosmetology are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers?
The BLS projects +6.7% employment change for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 16,300 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 114K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers roles: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and Coordination. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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