Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
What is a general superintendent and how to become one
The General Superintendent's main job is to supervise the physical constructions of projects according to the contract details. Therefore, if you're working in this office, expect your job duties to include checking for safety in trade transactions before approval. You may also be in charge of resolving disputes happening around the company. General superintendents also plan reports of works and maintain those reports. In addition, they coordinate trade contractors and make sure that quality work is done on a project and that deadlines are met.
A general superintendent must have a BS or MS in an equivalent field. Also, some essential skills are required. A general superintendent must be able to work in a team and successfully lead them. He/She must also know Microsoft Word and Excel. Plus, you must be able to draw and construct documents. You should have good communication skills to communicate with your team. Finally, you must be proficient in the division of labor and budget control. The salary for this role is $90,000 annually.
What general advice would you give to a general superintendent?
Dr. Alyson Theriot
Associate Professor, Nicholls State University
Avg. Salary $75,102
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.47%
Asian 6.29%
Black or African American 6.09%
Hispanic or Latino 14.90%
Unknown 4.33%
White 67.93%
Genderfemale 2.68%
male 97.32%
Age - 44American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 44Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
General superintendent career paths
Key steps to become a general superintendent
Explore general superintendent education requirements
Start to develop specific general superintendent skills
Skills Percentages OSHA 11.26% Construction Management 7.34% Project Management 5.07% Quality Standards 4.95% Excellent Organizational 4.88% Complete relevant general superintendent training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New general superintendents learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a general superintendent based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real general superintendent resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed general superintendent usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed general superintendent in most of states. 20 states require general superintendents to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alabama - State exam required Licensed General Contractor Georgia Specific course required State exam required General Contractor Individual Alaska - State exam required Contractor, Construction California - State exam required General Building Contractor Connecticut - State exam required Major Contractor Gain additional general superintendent certifications
More About CertificationsGeneral superintendent certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific general superintendent certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for general superintendents include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Construction Manager (CCM).
Research general superintendent duties and responsibilities
- Manage and coordinate all aspects of HVAC relate jobs for a mechanical contractor.
- Manage the field installation of pipe, instrumentation and HVAC systems throughout the plant.
- Implement and direct shipping and receiving functions and manage salaried and hourly UAW staff in both functions.
- Develop and manage instrumental and equipment proper handling regulations in compliance CLIA.
Prepare your general superintendent resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your general superintendent resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a general superintendent resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable general superintendent resume templates
Build a professional general superintendent resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your general superintendent resume.
Apply for general superintendent jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a general superintendent job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first general superintendent job
Are you a general superintendent?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average general superintendent salary
The average general superintendent salary in the United States is $75,102 per year or $36 per hour. General superintendent salaries range between $52,000 and $107,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do general superintendents rate their job?
General superintendent reviews
In the field, hands on, working with trades. More custom oriented
Office work, did not like doing commercial construction and been building custom homes for 35 years.
People Busy Money Busy and variety in a job Solving problems
To know that I'm striving for the upmost best for the company AND the client. To know that when it's done it's something that will be worry free throughout its entirety.
Stress of making sure everything is coming in under budget and efficiently.
Updated January 8, 2025
