Occupation · SOC 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.
Median wage
$78,300
$48,460–$124,280
Projected growth
+3.1%
Average growth
Annual openings
1,910
per year
Employed (US)
600,680
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
240 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationSpeakingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
Administration and ManagementMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministrativePersonnel and Human Resources
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareInventory management softwareProject management softwareFacilities management softwareAccounting software
Representative tasks
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.Monitor tool and part inventories and the condition and maintenance of shops to ensure adequate working conditions.Requisition materials and supplies, such as tools, equipment, or replacement parts.Confer with personnel, such as management, engineering, quality control, customer, or union workers' representatives, to coordinate work activities, resolve employee grievances, or identify and review resource needs.Determine schedules, sequences, and assignments for work activities, based on work priority, quantity of equipment, and skill of personnel.Counsel employees about work-related issues and assist employees to correct job-skill deficiencies.Examine objects, systems, or facilities and analyze information to determine needed installations, services, or repairs.Recommend or initiate personnel actions, such as hires, promotions, transfers, discharges, or disciplinary measures.Investigate accidents or injuries and prepare reports of findings.Conduct or arrange for worker training in safety, repair, or maintenance techniques, operational procedures, or equipment use.Develop, implement, or evaluate maintenance policies and procedures.Meet with vendors or suppliers to discuss products used in repair work.Participate in budget preparation and administration, coordinating purchasing and documentation and monitoring departmental expenditures.Review, evaluate, accept, and coordinate completion of work bid from contractors.Compile operational or personnel records, such as time and production records, inventory data, repair or maintenance statistics, or test results.Develop or implement electronic maintenance programs or computer information management systems.Design equipment configurations to meet personnel needs.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hand tools and basic gauges — use under direct supervision to inspect and measure completed repair work against established conformance standards in a maintenance shop.Workplace safety rules and procedures — recognize and report unsafe conditions or equipment violations under supervisor guidance in an active repair facility.Job orders and basic blueprints — read and identify key reference points under direction to support layout tasks assigned by experienced supervisors.Employee work logs and task assignments — observe and record daily work levels under direct oversight in a structured maintenance operation.Hand tools and power tools — assist in performing routine skilled repair or maintenance tasks under close supervision on standard mechanical equipment.Basic material and labor cost data — gather and organize input for cost estimates under guidance from a senior supervisor or project manager.Tool and parts inventory records — conduct routine counts and flag discrepancies under direction to help maintain adequate shop working conditions.Purchase requisitions and supply request forms — prepare and submit requests for tools, equipment, or replacement parts following established procurement procedures.Inventory management software — enter and retrieve basic parts and supply data under supervision to support shop-floor material tracking.Oral instructions and safety briefings — listen actively and confirm understanding when receiving task assignments or procedural guidance from lead supervisors.
developing
Hand tools, gauges, and test instruments — independently inspect, test, and measure completed work to verify conformance to repair specifications in a mid-size maintenance shop.Safety inspection checklists and training materials — conduct routine employee safety training and monitor work areas to detect and correct unsafe conditions with minimal oversight.Blueprints, specifications, and job orders — interpret and translate technical documents into templates and reference points that guide crew members on multi-trade repair projects.Employee performance records and work schedules — review and monitor work levels across a small crew, providing timely feedback to maintain productivity and quality targets.Hand tools, hydraulic presses, and welding equipment — perform skilled repair and maintenance operations on familiar equipment types, supporting crew output during high-demand periods.Material and labor cost estimates — calculate and compare estimated versus actual costs for routine jobs using standard costing methods and departmental budget guidelines.Shop inventory systems and maintenance logs — monitor tool and parts stock levels and shop conditions routinely, initiating replenishment actions before shortfalls affect operations.Requisition and procurement workflows — coordinate ordering of tools, equipment, and replacement parts, balancing urgency and budget constraints for ongoing maintenance jobs.Inventory management and project management software — use system functions to track job progress, assign resources, and generate status reports for supervisory review.Crew communications and shift handoffs — clearly convey task priorities, safety updates, and schedule changes to technicians and peer supervisors through verbal and written channels.
proficient
Precision instruments and diagnostic gauges — autonomously design and execute inspection and testing protocols for complex or non-routine repairs, ensuring full compliance with quality standards across a multi-technician shop.Safety programs and regulatory requirements — lead comprehensive safety audits, investigate incidents, and implement corrective actions that align facility practices with OSHA and company standards.Complex blueprints, CAD drawings, and multi-phase job orders — interpret and adapt technical specifications for non-standard jobs, constructing accurate templates and directing crews on intricate mechanical projects.Personnel performance management systems — conduct formal evaluations, identify skill gaps, and implement individualized development plans to sustain high-performing maintenance teams.Full range of shop equipment including hydraulic shears and welding systems — execute and troubleshoot advanced repair and maintenance operations independently, resolving technical failures that exceed crew capabilities.ERP and accounting software — produce detailed cost analyses comparing materials, labor, and contractor expenses to budget forecasts, using findings to optimize resource allocation across multiple projects.Facilities management and inventory software — manage end-to-end tool and parts lifecycle, forecasting demand, scheduling preventive maintenance, and maintaining optimal shop readiness at all times.Vendor relationships and supply chain processes — evaluate supplier performance and negotiate requisitions for specialized tools and replacement parts, balancing cost, quality, and lead-time requirements.Systems analysis and operations monitoring methods — assess interdependencies among maintenance processes, identify systemic inefficiencies, and recommend process improvements that reduce downtime and cost.Active learning and structured troubleshooting frameworks — diagnose root causes of recurring mechanical failures, apply new technical knowledge independently, and share lessons learned with the broader crew.
advanced
Departmental quality control standards and measurement systems — establish and continuously refine inspection benchmarks and conformance criteria that govern repair quality across multiple shops or facilities.Organizational safety culture and compliance strategy — design enterprise-level safety programs, set performance targets, and hold supervisors accountable for maintaining zero-harm environments across all maintenance operations.Capital project specifications and long-range maintenance plans — direct the interpretation and execution of complex technical programs, aligning crew capabilities and resource plans with organizational objectives.Talent development and succession planning systems — mentor and develop a cadre of front-line supervisors, building the leadership bench strength required to sustain operational continuity.Cross-functional maintenance operations and skilled trade teams — lead coordinated deployment of advanced repair capabilities across divisions, resolving escalated technical challenges that span multiple systems or disciplines.Operating and capital budgets for maintenance functions — own full budget lifecycle from forecasting through variance analysis, driving cost discipline and return-on-investment accountability across labor, materials, and contractors.Facilities and inventory management strategy — set inventory optimization policies, evaluate technology investments, and direct shop infrastructure improvements that maximize workforce productivity and asset reliability.Strategic procurement and contractor management frameworks — negotiate long-term supplier agreements and contractor service contracts, ensuring parts availability, cost competitiveness, and alignment with maintenance performance goals.ERP and enterprise data platforms — champion adoption of integrated technology solutions across maintenance operations, using systems analysis to translate operational data into strategic decisions for senior leadership.Organizational change and continuous-improvement initiatives — lead culture-change efforts that embed Lean, reliability-centered maintenance, or similar methodologies, measurably improving efficiency and service delivery at organizational scale.
Also known as
1,044 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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