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Construction manager vs construction superintendent

The differences between construction managers and construction 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 construction manager and a construction superintendent. Additionally, a construction superintendent has an average salary of $87,486, which is higher than the $81,313 average annual salary of a construction manager.

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

Construction manager vs construction superintendent overview

Construction ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Yearly salary$81,313$87,486
Hourly rate$39.09$42.06
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs44,43134,822
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a construction manager do?

A construction manager oversees a construction site and its workers, ensuring efficiency in the workforce and overall operations. They work in an office within the construction site to meet and coordinate with architects, contractors, and clients. They must also hire the required workforce, identify and resolve issues, maintain daily reports and communication with clients, and prioritize a safe work environment. Above all, they must see that all of the required protocols are met, including the target completion time and budget.

What does a construction superintendent do?

A construction superintendent's role is to oversee all construction plans and operations, ensuring quality completion within a specified timeframe. Some of their responsibilities are to inspect all sites, coordinate with contractors and engineers, manage the budget and expenditure, purchase necessary materials and equipment, and make schedules. Aside from producing daily progress reports, a construction superintendent also addresses issues and concerns should there be any. Furthermore, they must implement all safety regulations and policies to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Construction manager vs construction superintendent salary

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

Construction ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Average salary$81,313$87,486
Salary rangeBetween $54,000 And $120,000Between $61,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyMetaColdwell Banker Morris Real Estate
Best paying industryTechnologyEnergy

Differences between construction manager and construction superintendent education

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

Construction ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Construction manager vs construction superintendent demographics

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

Construction ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 92.0% Female, 8.0%Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between construction manager and construction superintendent duties and responsibilities

Construction manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage three geotechnical engineers, a general contractor , 45 sub-contractors, and consultants.
  • Manage all contractor-relate tasks from RFI submissions through payment administration.
  • Manage and coordinate architects, structural engineers, MEP engineers and subcontractors technical departments.
  • Manage complete design and construction coordination of company's retail properties throughout the Washington/Baltimore area market.
  • Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, control inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
  • Implement and maintain construction safety regulations according to OSHA requirements, and ensure environmental protection regulatory compliance with engineering standards.
  • Show more

Construction superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage crew on apartment, condo and town-home remodel and restoration projects.
  • Manage the MEP coordination meetings, as well as performing mechanical superintendent duties.
  • Manage the supervising of construction and installation of HVAC restoration in historical government hospital buildings.
  • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
  • Communicate with EOR/Architect/Construction PM/Superintendent/fab shop on all shop drawings as needed to resolve RFI's and change orders.
  • Avoid disputes & claims through comprehensive proposals, email correspondence, RFI's, & daily reporting.
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Construction manager vs construction superintendent skills

Common construction manager skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Construction Management, 12%
  • Construction Projects, 9%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%
Common construction superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%

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