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Construction superintendent vs construction supervisor

The differences between construction superintendents and construction supervisors 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 a construction supervisor takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a construction superintendent has an average salary of $87,486, which is higher than the $62,881 average annual salary of a construction supervisor.

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

Construction superintendent vs construction supervisor overview

Construction SuperintendentConstruction Supervisor
Yearly salary$87,486$62,881
Hourly rate$42.06$30.23
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs34,82232,487
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
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 a construction supervisor do?

Construction supervisors ensure construction team members work jointly to deliver excellent work on time. They provide team-building sessions and training and monitor the construction processes. These professionals ensure the construction processes take place every time as per the safety regulations and health regulations. Besides creating budgets, project plans, reports and delivering them to the appropriate stakeholders, construction supervisors also perform routine site, material, and equipment inspections. They always remain updated about the construction advancements and construction safety codes.

Construction superintendent vs construction supervisor salary

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

Construction SuperintendentConstruction Supervisor
Average salary$87,486$62,881
Salary rangeBetween $61,000 And $123,000Between $42,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companyColdwell Banker Morris Real EstateSBA Communications
Best paying industryEnergyEnergy

Differences between construction superintendent and construction supervisor education

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

Construction SuperintendentConstruction Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo-

Construction superintendent vs construction supervisor demographics

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

Construction SuperintendentConstruction Supervisor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 97.0% Female, 3.0%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
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, 5.1% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.9% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage4%2%

Differences between construction superintendent and construction supervisor 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

Construction supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, control inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
  • Conduct site visits to ensure OSHA and local safety regulations are adhered to in accordance with company policy.
  • Perform caulking tasks which include: priming, air barrier on walls and utilizing mechanical tools.
  • Perform daily project walk-through to assess safety and cleanliness, thus ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations and insurance requirement.
  • Maintain the church building and school including general repairs, preventative maintenance, HVAC and scheduling contractors for repairs as needed.
  • Purchase framing, siding, cornice, roofing, finish carpentry and all other materials necessary, maintaining effective inventory control.
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Construction superintendent vs construction supervisor skills

Common construction superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
Common construction supervisor skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • Project Management, 8%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Construction Management, 5%
  • Construction Sites, 5%

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