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Contractor assistant vs project supervisor

The differences between contractor assistants and project 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 project supervisor. Additionally, a project supervisor has an average salary of $53,609, 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 project supervisor are project management, customer service, and safety standards.

Contractor assistant vs project supervisor overview

Contractor AssistantProject Supervisor
Yearly salary$39,453$53,609
Hourly rate$18.97$25.77
Growth rate4%8%
Number of jobs12,81620,450
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 project supervisor do?

A project supervisor is someone employed in industries like engineering, construction, manufacturing, as well as design and marketing industries to coordinate all aspects of a project. Common duties include participating in project planning, acting as a communication liaison, coordinating labor needs, and training employees. They meet with the account manager to assess and understand the client's needs and budget for the project. Together with the supply chain manager, they facilitate the purchasing and delivery of supplies needed to complete the project. Additionally, they make sure the project is completed on time and within budget.

Contractor assistant vs project supervisor salary

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

Contractor AssistantProject Supervisor
Average salary$39,453$53,609
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $46,000Between $29,000 And $97,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAUnion City, CA
Highest paying stateIllinoisCalifornia
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyPacific Gas and Electric
Best paying industryConstructionRetail

Differences between contractor assistant and project supervisor education

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

Contractor AssistantProject Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Contractor assistant vs project supervisor demographics

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

Contractor AssistantProject Supervisor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 68.2% Female, 31.8%Male, 79.4% Female, 20.6%
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, 5.2% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 23.0% Asian, 1.4% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between contractor assistant and project 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

Project supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage paving of asphalt for road reconstruction and estimate cost base on gather quantities of daily progress.
  • Manage and supervise residential remodel and new construction projects.
  • Maintain all accounting and payroll for small business and manage all small business operations including marketing.
  • Install cabling, copper, fiber, test, in accordance with NEC TIA/EIA NIST standards.
  • weed eating blowing mowing hedge trimming mulching property maintenance garden work etc ...
  • Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.
  • Show more

Contractor assistant vs project supervisor skills

Common contractor assistant skills
  • Drywall Installation, 12%
  • Purchase Orders, 9%
  • Administrative Tasks, 6%
  • Contract Terms, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Sheetrock, 5%
Common project supervisor skills
  • Project Management, 13%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Safety Standards, 8%
  • Safety Procedures, 7%
  • Fire Protection, 6%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%

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