How much does a pipeline maintenance supervisor make?

Pipeline Maintenance Supervisor (onshore, oil & gas midstream) pay typically ranges from $80,000–$145,000 base per year depending on experience and responsibility, with common short-term bonus targets of 8%–15%.

Experience Level	Typical Annual Base	Median (50th)
Entry	$80,000–$95,000	$87,500
Mid-Career	$95,000–$120,000	$107,500
Senior	$120,000–$145,000	$132,500

I. Pay Breakdown

Figures below reflect U.S. onshore oil & gas pipeline maintenance supervisor roles with operators, midstream owners, and pipeline contractors. Ranges are rounded per guidance.

Annualized Base Pay (25th / 50th / 75th)

Experience	25th	50th (Median)	75th
Entry	$80,000	$87,500	$95,000
Mid-Career	$95,000	$107,500	$120,000
Senior	$120,000	$132,500	$145,000

Hourly Pay Equivalents (W-2)

Experience	25th	50th	75th
Entry	$37.50	$40.00	$45.00
Mid-Career	$45.00	$52.50	$57.50
Senior	$57.50	$62.50	$70.00

Day-Rate (Contract/Field Supervisory Assignments)

Experience	25th	50th	75th
Entry	$470	$530	$600
Mid-Career	$600	$680	$760
Senior	$760	$840	$920

Typical Incentives and Differentials

1.1 Short-term bonus: commonly 8%–15% of base for meeting safety, reliability, and budget KPIs.
1.2 Overtime/after-hours: some supervisors are eligible for OT; others receive fixed salary plus call-out pay ($150–$300 per week) and emergency response premiums.
1.3 Vehicle: company truck or allowance ($600–$1,000 per month), fuel card, tools/PPE provided.
1.4 Per diem when traveling for digs, ILI runs, or turnaround support: $60–$120 per day.
1.5 Benefits: medical, 401(k) match (4%–7%), and safety bonuses are common; long-term incentives are less common at this level.

Conversion Notes

Annualized approximations:

1.6 $ \text{Annual (salary from hourly)} \approx \text{Hourly} \times 2{,}080 $
1.7 $ \text{Annual (from day-rate)} \approx \text{Day Rate} \times \text{Billable Days} $, where billable days vary by schedule and travel (e.g., 5×8 ˜ 260 days; reactive maintenance schedules vary).

II. How Pay Changes

2.1 Experience: progression from supervising a single crew and short pipe segments to multi-segment right-of-way (ROW) oversight and outage leadership drives movement from the entry to senior bands.
2.2 Training/certifications: DOT OQ, OSHA-30, qualified person for hot work and confined space, corrosion knowledge (NACE CP Level 1/2), pipeline integrity familiarity (e.g., API 1160 concepts), and I&E cross-skill raise pay within band.
2.3 Added responsibilities: multi-district coverage, budget ownership, contractor management, emergency incident command, ILI/pigging program coordination, and PHMSA audit readiness can lift pay toward the 75th percentile or into the next band.
2.4 Schedule intensity: frequent call-outs, winter storm/hurricane response, and extended integrity dig seasons often include premiums or higher day-rates.
2.5 Technology stack: proficiency with SCADA work orders, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and GIS/line locating can boost comp within the band.

III. Market Drivers Affecting Pay for THIS Role

3.1 Throughput and maintenance backlog: high utilization and deferred maintenance increase demand for experienced supervisors, pushing offers toward the top of range.
3.2 PHMSA compliance cycles: intensified integrity assessments, class location changes, and MAOP reconfirmation work raise need for supervisors capable of coordinating digs, hydrotests, and documentation.
3.3 Regional hot spots: Permian and Delaware Basin, Gulf Coast liquids corridors, and Appalachia gas systems typically pay 5%–15% above baseline due to workload and talent competition.
3.4 Contractor market tightness: when field contractor rates rise, operators adjust internal pay or stipends to retain supervisory talent.
3.5 Safety performance focus: strong safety leadership track records command premiums given incident cost exposure.
3.6 Travel and remoteness: remote ROW segments and wide geographic coverage attract higher day-rates or allowances.

IV. Entry Pathways

4.1 Internal promotion from Pipeline Technician/Lead Hand after demonstrating OQ proficiency, safe work leadership, and contractor coordination.
4.2 Transitions from Corrosion Tech, Mechanical/I&E Tech, or ROW Patrol into a lead role, then Supervisor.
4.3 Apprenticeship/trainee programs with midstream operators or contractors, followed by step-up foreman roles.
4.4 Prior military maintenance leadership or utility pipeline maintenance experience leveraging safety and work-order management skills.

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