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Assistant construction manager vs project superintendent

The differences between assistant construction managers and project superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an assistant construction manager and a project superintendent. Additionally, a project superintendent has an average salary of $97,517, which is higher than the $66,406 average annual salary of an assistant construction manager.

The top three skills for an assistant construction manager include construction management, OSHA and project management. The most important skills for a project superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and general contractors.

Assistant construction manager vs project superintendent overview

Assistant Construction ManagerProject Superintendent
Yearly salary$66,406$97,517
Hourly rate$31.93$46.88
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs37,17971,449
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does an assistant construction manager do?

Assistant construction managers have experience overseeing the progress on a construction site. They align their goals with construction managers to ensure that they are on the same page. Assistant construction managers help manage the employees or construction workers on a site. They help ensure proper workforce allocation and mobilization so that the construction will be completed on time. They also ensure that proper safety protocols are implemented and followed on the site. Assistant construction managers also manage the overall progress of the construction. They ensure that the plan is followed and that all materials needed are available.

What does a project superintendent do?

The construction or project superintendent's role is to oversee the operations of construction sites, from the planning phase to completion. They have varied duties and responsibilities based on specific projects that include scheduling and budgeting, communicating and negotiating with external partners, and acquiring materials and equipment. A construction superintendent also earns construction permits, resolving on-site emergencies and issues, and supervising staff. This position requires several skills, including a degree in construction management or a similar field, relevant experience, and in-depth knowledge of construction processes and operations.

Assistant construction manager vs project superintendent salary

Assistant construction managers and project superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Construction ManagerProject Superintendent
Average salary$66,406$97,517
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $96,000Between $71,000 And $133,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateHawaiiConnecticut
Best paying companyBlack & VeatchThe Weitz Company
Best paying industryGovernmentConstruction

Differences between assistant construction manager and project superintendent education

There are a few differences between an assistant construction manager and a project superintendent in terms of educational background:

Assistant Construction ManagerProject Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Assistant construction manager vs project superintendent demographics

Here are the differences between assistant construction managers' and project superintendents' demographics:

Assistant Construction ManagerProject Superintendent
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 87.4% Female, 12.6%Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 70.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between assistant construction manager and project superintendent duties and responsibilities

Assistant construction manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, control inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
  • Create bid analysis, RFI, RFP documents to enhance competitive bidding process.
  • Draft and render plans and specification drawings in AutoCAD.
  • Prepare project construction cost budgets, RFI's, and change order estimates.
  • Maintain on-site equipment to comply within OSHA safety specifications.
  • Carry out topographical surveys to confirm/establish boundaries and complete record drawings using AutoCAD.
  • Show more

Project superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage design build, MEP, metal frame, dry wall, paint, high end cabinetry, turn- key project.
  • Initiate and manage RFI's between owner/engineer/architects.
  • Manage third party contractors including safety oversight, environmental design specification compliance, and similar construction specifications and requirements.
  • Lead safety compliance by conducting regular safety meetings with subcontractors and strictly enforcing safety policies and procedures, including OSHA regulations.
  • Develop and establish project safety guidelines adhering to OSHA standards and daily procedures.
  • Design products in AutoCAD base on field measurements for CNC machines.
  • Show more

Assistant construction manager vs project superintendent skills

Common assistant construction manager skills
  • Construction Management, 17%
  • OSHA, 9%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Construction Schedule, 8%
  • Project Specifications, 7%
  • Project Site, 6%
Common project superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 12%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%

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