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Construction area manager vs superintendent

The differences between construction area managers and superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a construction area manager, becoming a superintendent takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a construction area manager has an average salary of $99,134, which is higher than the $82,458 average annual salary of a superintendent.

The top three skills for a construction area manager include OSHA, construction management and project management. The most important skills for a superintendent are OSHA, quality standards, and construction management.

Construction area manager vs superintendent overview

Construction Area ManagerSuperintendent
Yearly salary$99,134$82,458
Hourly rate$47.66$39.64
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs46,66422,580
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4647
Years of experience84

What does a construction area manager do?

A construction area manager oversees and directs the daily operations at construction sites, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently according to the budgets, deadlines, and standards. Their responsibilities typically include delegating tasks, handling the funds, preparing site reports, liaising with clients and engineers, setting objectives and guidelines, and monitoring the progress of all operations, resolving issues should any arise. Moreover, a construction area manager leads contractors to reach goals, all while implementing the construction site's safety policies and standards to maintain a safe and productive work environment for everyone.

What does a superintendent do?

Superintendents oversee the administration of schools in a specific school district. They manage the educational programs of each school and create strategic decisions to ensure that the students are learning important subjects. They also supervise school administrators or principals and are responsible for hiring and guiding them. Superintendents should be familiar with their constituents and must always be ready to listen to their needs. It is important that superintendents are good decision-makers and communicators. They are expected to lead their respective districts in achieving their vision. Superintendents drive the team towards their goals and create strategic steps to ensure success.

Construction area manager vs superintendent salary

Construction area managers and superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Construction Area ManagerSuperintendent
Average salary$99,134$82,458
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $213,000Between $57,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Rhode Island
Best paying company-BP America Inc
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between construction area manager and superintendent education

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

Construction Area ManagerSuperintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Pennsylvania

Construction area manager vs superintendent demographics

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

Construction Area ManagerSuperintendent
Average age4647
Gender ratioMale, 94.4% Female, 5.6%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%16%

Differences between construction area manager and superintendent duties and responsibilities

Construction area manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage complete design and construction coordination of company's retail properties throughout the Washington/Baltimore area market.
  • Complete multiple projects ahead of schedule by driving productivity improvements through implementation of new document procedures and Suretrak CPM schedule.
  • Provide necessary written and oral communication along with RFI responses as required.
  • Inspect and ensure passing of all city and county building code requirements.

Superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage, coordinate, plan and provide oversight for all nuclear work perform during PSA's.
  • Manage $9.1M budget; 28,000 grind and flight training requirements and 2,400 hr flying training program.
  • Manage a team of 30 operators and maintenance personnel producing extrusion and blown polypropylene shrink film on a unionize site.
  • Lead and facilitate meetings; oversee implementation of OSHA and company safety regulations.
  • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
  • Coordinate and oversee commercial roofing projects.
  • Show more

Construction area manager vs superintendent skills

Common construction area manager skills
  • OSHA, 17%
  • Construction Management, 14%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Building Codes, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 6%
Common superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Logistics, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%

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