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The differences between commercial project 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 a commercial project manager and a project superintendent. Additionally, a project superintendent has an average salary of $97,517, which is higher than the $84,909 average annual salary of a commercial project manager.
The top three skills for a commercial project manager include project management, customer service and roofing. The most important skills for a project superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and general contractors.
| Commercial Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Yearly salary | $84,909 | $97,517 |
| Hourly rate | $40.82 | $46.88 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 150,062 | 71,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
A commercial project manager is responsible for monitoring the development of business projects across the company within various industries. Commercial project managers strategize on the procedures for the project deliverables, including the resources, budget allocation, and timetables. They delegate tasks among the team members and conduct regular brainstorming sessions for progress updates and ways to enhance the existing project outline. A commercial project manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially in resolving failure points within the project system and adjust plans immediately as needed to meet goals and objectives.
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.
Commercial project managers and project superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commercial Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Average salary | $84,909 | $97,517 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $115,000 | Between $71,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | New York | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | ONE Gas | The Weitz Company |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Construction |
There are a few differences between a commercial project manager and a project superintendent in terms of educational background:
| Commercial Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between commercial project managers' and project superintendents' demographics:
| Commercial Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 79.2% Female, 20.8% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% 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 Percentage | 4% | 4% |