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Building superintendent vs contractor assistant

The differences between building superintendents and contractor assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes More than 10 years to become both a building superintendent and a contractor assistant. Additionally, a building superintendent has an average salary of $57,406, which is higher than the $39,453 average annual salary of a contractor assistant.

The top three skills for a building superintendent include plumbing, OSHA and sub contractors. The most important skills for a contractor assistant are drywall installation, purchase orders, and administrative tasks.

Building superintendent vs contractor assistant overview

Building SuperintendentContractor Assistant
Yearly salary$57,406$39,453
Hourly rate$27.60$18.97
Growth rate3%4%
Number of jobs15,74412,816
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does a building superintendent do?

A building superintendent is primarily in charge of overseeing the general maintenance of a residential building. They respond to maintenance concerns from residents, taking action by conducting inspections, repairs, or replacements. They also perform regular maintenance checks on common facilities and systems, maintain grounds in good condition, prepare vacant units for rental, spearhead renovations, and supervise staff or contractors involved in maintenance duties. Moreover, a building superintendent is also responsible for administrative tasks, such as coordinating with internal and external parties, collecting rent from tenants, handling rental violations or evictions, and maintaining records of all transactions.

What does a contractor assistant do?

A contractor assistant is responsible for overseeing construction operations under the supervision of the general contractor, from the initial designs to the final touches, ensuring that the final output meets the client's specifications, requirements, and budget goals. Contractor assistants evaluate the costs and expenses and monitor the financial transactions for the project. They also coordinate with the client for updates and other adjustments as needed without compromising the project deliverables. Additionally, a contractor assistant may perform administrative and clerical duties on top of site visits, depending on the general contractor's needs.

Building superintendent vs contractor assistant salary

Building superintendents and contractor assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Building SuperintendentContractor Assistant
Average salary$57,406$39,453
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $83,000Between $33,000 And $46,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Illinois
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between building superintendent and contractor assistant education

There are a few differences between a building superintendent and a contractor assistant in terms of educational background:

Building SuperintendentContractor Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Building superintendent vs contractor assistant demographics

Here are the differences between building superintendents' and contractor assistants' demographics:

Building SuperintendentContractor Assistant
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 94.8% Female, 5.2%Male, 68.2% Female, 31.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 26.4% Asian, 1.4% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between building superintendent and contractor assistant duties and responsibilities

Building superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate leadership, accountability, and teamwork when managing the budget by empowering staff members to participate in controlling expenditures.
  • Handle all aspects of building maintenance, including force air computerize HVAC system, lawn care, carpentry, and pluming.
  • Charge with the running and testing of electrical lines, changing switches their connect receptacles.
  • Negotiate contracts for maintenance, repairs, cleaning, HVAC, and general upkeep of building and grounds for multiple buildings
  • Repair or replace defective electrical switches and other fixtures.
  • Maintain all heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment throughout facilities.
  • Show more

Contractor assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
  • Construct undergrounds for new homes, complete water systems in copper, pex and cpvc.
  • Remodel bathrooms, install windows and doors, roofing, siding, fencing, landscaping, and general house repairs.
  • Certificate in upnor PEX water line install.
  • Install new 3/4 PVC condensate drains for all coils
  • Experience working with various PVC and metal pipe materials and fittings.
  • Show more

Building superintendent vs contractor assistant skills

Common building superintendent skills
  • Plumbing, 14%
  • OSHA, 10%
  • Sub Contractors, 9%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Construction Projects, 6%
  • HVAC, 6%
Common contractor assistant skills
  • Drywall Installation, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 9%
  • Administrative Tasks, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Sheetrock, 5%

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