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The differences between general contractors and project 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 general contractor and a project superintendent. Additionally, a project superintendent has an average salary of $97,517, which is higher than the $66,602 average annual salary of a general contractor.
The top three skills for a general contractor include plumbing, safety regulations and contract negotiations. The most important skills for a project superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and general contractors.
| General Contractor | Project Superintendent | |
| Yearly salary | $66,602 | $97,517 |
| Hourly rate | $32.02 | $46.88 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 66,218 | 71,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
The job of general contractors is to oversee the day-to-day operations of projects in the organization. General contractors are considered seasoned experts when it comes to home improvement. They provide the material, equipment, labor, and services for a construction project. Often, they hire specialized subcontractors who will be working on some part of the construction work. They should have attained a bachelor's or associate's degree in construction management. Their experience in the industry is highly coveted.
The construction or project superintendent's role is to oversee the operations of construction sites, from the planning phase to completion. They have varied duties and responsibilities based on specific projects that include scheduling and budgeting, communicating and negotiating with external partners, and acquiring materials and equipment. A construction superintendent also earns construction permits, resolving on-site emergencies and issues, and supervising staff. This position requires several skills, including a degree in construction management or a similar field, relevant experience, and in-depth knowledge of construction processes and operations.
General contractors and project superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| General Contractor | Project Superintendent | |
| Average salary | $66,602 | $97,517 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $107,000 | Between $71,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | The Weitz Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Construction |
There are a few differences between a general contractor and a project superintendent in terms of educational background:
| General Contractor | Project Superintendent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between general contractors' and project superintendents' demographics:
| General Contractor | Project Superintendent | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |