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Construction superintendent vs assistant superintendent

The differences between construction superintendents and assistant 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 superintendent, becoming an assistant superintendent takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a construction superintendent has an average salary of $87,486, which is higher than the $77,284 average annual salary of an assistant superintendent.

The top three skills for a construction superintendent include OSHA, construction management and project management. The most important skills for an assistant superintendent are customer service, quality standards, and OSHA.

Construction superintendent vs assistant superintendent overview

Construction SuperintendentAssistant Superintendent
Yearly salary$87,486$77,284
Hourly rate$42.06$37.16
Growth rate8%6%
Number of jobs34,82211,734
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4646
Years of experience8-

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.

What does an assistant superintendent do?

In a construction setting, an assistant superintendent is primarily in charge of supervising workers to ensure that the construction project's completion will be within the expected time and allotted budget. Most of their responsibilities revolve around assisting the superintendent with their tasks, creating schedules, and meeting with clients. Furthermore, an assistant superintendent must also coordinate with all construction workers and build rapport with them, all while implementing the safety policies and standards for a safe and productive work environment.

Construction superintendent vs assistant superintendent salary

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

Construction SuperintendentAssistant Superintendent
Average salary$87,486$77,284
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $123,000Between $46,000 And $127,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiConnecticut
Best paying companyColdwell Banker Morris Real EstateBrookfield Properties
Best paying industryEnergyProfessional

Differences between construction superintendent and assistant superintendent education

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

Construction SuperintendentAssistant Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo-

Construction superintendent vs assistant superintendent demographics

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

Construction SuperintendentAssistant Superintendent
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 97.0% Female, 3.0%Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 1.5% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage4%2%

Differences between construction superintendent and assistant superintendent duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Assistant superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Lead QA planning and plan development for support applications.
  • Manage computerize controls for heating, A/C and all energy management systems.
  • Manage subcontractor trades including: foundation waterproofing, MEP systems, concrete, underground utilities and all finish trades.
  • Develop and manage all pesticide, weed, fertilizer, and cultural programs for turf grass and landscape plants.
  • Manage coordination and logistics for security project for used cooking oil collection containers.
  • Manage off-site inventory and logistics locations, including negotiating payment terms and long-term lease agreements.
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Construction superintendent vs assistant superintendent skills

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

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