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Contractor assistant vs construction supervisor

The differences between contractor assistants and construction supervisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes More than 10 years to become both a contractor assistant and a construction supervisor. Additionally, a construction supervisor has an average salary of $62,881, which is higher than the $39,453 average annual salary of a contractor assistant.

The top three skills for a contractor assistant include drywall installation, purchase orders and administrative tasks. The most important skills for a construction supervisor are customer service, OSHA, and project management.

Contractor assistant vs construction supervisor overview

Contractor AssistantConstruction Supervisor
Yearly salary$39,453$62,881
Hourly rate$18.97$30.23
Growth rate4%8%
Number of jobs12,81632,487
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4646
Years of experience--

What does a contractor assistant do?

A contractor assistant is responsible for overseeing construction operations under the supervision of the general contractor, from the initial designs to the final touches, ensuring that the final output meets the client's specifications, requirements, and budget goals. Contractor assistants evaluate the costs and expenses and monitor the financial transactions for the project. They also coordinate with the client for updates and other adjustments as needed without compromising the project deliverables. Additionally, a contractor assistant may perform administrative and clerical duties on top of site visits, depending on the general contractor's needs.

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.

Contractor assistant vs construction supervisor salary

Contractor assistants and construction supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Contractor AssistantConstruction Supervisor
Average salary$39,453$62,881
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $46,000Between $42,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateIllinoisNew York
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleySBA Communications
Best paying industryConstructionEnergy

Differences between contractor assistant and construction supervisor education

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

Contractor AssistantConstruction Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Contractor assistant vs construction supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between contractor assistants' and construction supervisors' demographics:

Contractor AssistantConstruction Supervisor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 68.2% Female, 31.8%Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%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 Percentage2%2%

Differences between contractor assistant and construction supervisor duties and responsibilities

Contractor assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage and decide all remodel activities.
  • Construct undergrounds for new homes, complete water systems in copper, pex and cpvc.
  • Remodel bathrooms, install windows and doors, roofing, siding, fencing, landscaping, and general house repairs.
  • Certificate in upnor PEX water line install.
  • Install new 3/4 PVC condensate drains for all coils
  • Experience working with various PVC and metal pipe materials and fittings.
  • 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.
  • Show more

Contractor assistant vs construction supervisor skills

Common contractor assistant skills
  • Drywall Installation, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 9%
  • Administrative Tasks, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Sheetrock, 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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