First-line supervisors of material-moving machine and vehicle operators lead teams that move, load, and transport materials on job sites and in warehouses. You manage people, coordinate workflow, and solve problems on the spot. You can reach this role with a high school diploma and hands-on experience.
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You oversee operators who run forklifts, cranes, conveyors, and other material-moving equipment. Your day involves getting information about jobs and deadlines, communicating with your team and upper management, and directing workers to meet production goals. You build and develop your team, coordinate activities across shifts, and guide people through their tasks. You make decisions about how to handle delays or safety issues, monitor work quality, and solve problems as they come up. You also handle scheduling, performance feedback, and training.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators earn a median of $62,890 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 61,300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start with a high school diploma or equivalent. Most people move into this role after working as material-moving machine or vehicle operators, gaining experience with the equipment and warehouse or job site operations. This hands-on background helps you understand the work and earn the respect of your team. Once you have several years of operator experience, you can apply for supervisory positions. Some employers offer leadership training or management courses to prepare you for the role.
Most people reach this role by starting as equipment operators and moving up. If you are thinking about the supervisor path, Pathly can map the first-line supervisor of material-moving machine and vehicle operators path that fits you to map out the steps with your counselor and build a timeline that fits your pace.
You do not need a license to work as a first-line supervisor of material-moving machine and vehicle operators, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You are enterprising, which means you like to lead, persuade, and take charge. You thrive when you can direct others and drive results through people.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).