First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers
SOC code 39-1022 · O*NET-SOC 39-1022.00 · Medium preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$48,590
a year
Hourly
$23.36
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$52,360
$25.17 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,050 – $61,100
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$34,010 – $75,330
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
114,110
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $34,010
- $16.35/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,050
- $18.78/hr
- Median percentile
- $48,590
- $23.36/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,100
- $29.37/hr
- 90th percentile
- $75,330
- $36.22/hr
What does a first-line supervisors of personal service worker do?
Supervise and coordinate activities of personal service workers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Take disciplinary action to address performance problems.
- Inspect work areas or operating equipment to ensure conformance to established standards in areas such as cleanliness or maintenance.
- Investigate employee complaints and resolve problems following management rules and regulations.
How to become a first-line supervisors of personal service worker
Most people in this role hold associate's degree or other 2-year degree — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree48%
- Some College Courses24%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15%
- Bachelor's Degree8%
Common questions
How much does a first-line supervisors of personal service worker earn?
The national median is $48,590 a year. The full range runs from $34,010 at the 10th percentile to $75,330 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a first-line supervisors of personal service worker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Speaking3.8/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- English Language4.3/5
- Administration and Management4.2/5
- Public Safety and Security3.8/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.7/5
- Education and Training3.6/5
- Administrative3.5/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Service Orientation, Persuasion.