How to hire a general superintendent

How to hire a general superintendent, step by step

Here's a step-by-step general superintendent hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a general superintendent job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new general superintendent
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a general superintendent do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The general superintendent hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a general superintendent to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a general superintendent that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of general superintendents and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of General Superintendent	Description	Hourly rate
   General Superintendent	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$25-51
   Construction Manager	A construction manager oversees a construction site and its workers, ensuring efficiency in the workforce and overall operations. They work in an office within the construction site to meet and coordinate with architects, contractors, and clients... Show more	$25-57
   Installation Manager	An installation manager is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's installation projects, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. It is their duty to set goals and objectives, manage budgets and schedules, liaise with clients to identify their needs and preferences, and develop strategies to optimize installation processes, prioritizing customer satisfaction... Show more	$23-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OSHA
   • Construction Management
   • Project Management
   • Quality Standards
   • Excellent Organizational
   • General Contractors
   • Oversight
   • Construction Projects
   • Customer Service
   • Cost Control
   • Work Ethic
   • Safety Program
   • HVAC
   • Customer Satisfaction

   Check all skills

   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.
   • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
   • Lead and develop direct reports ensuring they are competently skil to perform their QA roles.

   More general superintendent duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your general superintendent job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A general superintendent salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a general superintendent in Idaho may be lower than in Delaware, and an entry-level general superintendent usually earns less than a senior-level general superintendent. Additionally, a general superintendent with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average general superintendent salary

   $75,102yearly

   $36.11 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level general superintendent salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

   Average general superintendent salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$95,679	$46
   2	New York	$91,306	$44
   3	California	$90,741	$44
   4	Virginia	$89,384	$43
   5	New Jersey	$87,654	$42
   6	North Carolina	$84,633	$41
   7	Maryland	$79,512	$38
   8	Massachusetts	$78,998	$38
   9	Florida	$76,560	$37
   10	Pennsylvania	$73,169	$35
   11	Colorado	$70,959	$34
   12	Texas	$68,270	$33
   13	Ohio	$67,976	$33
   14	South Dakota	$66,242	$32
   15	Illinois	$65,973	$32
   16	Louisiana	$62,392	$30
   17	Michigan	$59,891	$29
   18	Georgia	$59,722	$29
   19	Washington	$57,162	$27
   20	Arizona	$55,814	$27

   Average general superintendent salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Southern California Edison	$118,936	$57.18	3
   2	Thomson Reuters	$108,267	$52.05
   3	Ameresco	$103,040	$49.54	19
   4	NJ Transit	$102,312	$49.19
   5	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority	$100,795	$48.46	2
   6	TDIndustries	$99,904	$48.03
   7	Parsons	$99,812	$47.99	31
   8	CyberCoders	$98,722	$47.46
   9	ICM	$94,643	$45.50	4
   10	Crestone Capital	$93,862	$45.13
   11	BlackRock	$93,588	$44.99	9
   12	A+ Products	$92,885	$44.66
   13	Jm	$92,475	$44.46	4
   14	See Jane Run	$90,010	$43.27
   15	Douglas	$89,165	$42.87	5
   16	Bradley-Morris	$88,919	$42.75
   17	HTH Companies	$88,914	$42.75	9
   18	ManpowerGroup	$88,872	$42.73	24
   19	Skanska	$88,759	$42.67	33
   20	BrightView	$88,188	$42.40	18

4. Writing a general superintendent job description

   A general superintendent job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a general superintendent job description:

   General superintendent job description example

   You've entered a professional environment rooted in respect, collaboration and achievement. Our focus is improving life, naturally! We're looking for a Site Superintendent to join our team.
   You'd be responsible for:
   Coaching, evaluating and training staff and field workers in the performance of landscape construction services Inspecting all field work; analyzing and resolving problems Managing labor force & subcontractors to ensure labor budgets are on track Maintaining accurate daily and weekly Foremen and Superintendent activity logs; updating production tracking reports and generating other related reports as needed Dispatching of labor and equipment to job sites Managing equipment utilization on projects, equipment storage and maintenance Ensuring that all construction services are delivered according to contract specifications & drawings, are within budget and on schedule Meeting and exceeding the expectations and requirements of external and internal customers - working with staff to ensure same Working collaboratively with others; fostering a positive "people oriented" environment Evaluating employee safety data and promoting safe work practices or conditions; r ensuring employees attend weekly safety meetings Demonstrating role model behaviors on ethics and integrity as well as positively promoting Company culture
   You might be a good fit if you have:
   Minimum of 3 years' experience with landscape, concrete, irrigation and construction production techniques Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture, Civil Engineering, Construction Science, Construction Management or related Expert knowledge of construction tools, machinery and equipment
   And while not mandatory, it would be great if you also have:
   Proficiency with computer software programs including MS Office suite (Word, Excel and Outlook) Strong work ethic Effective oral and written communication skills Ability to prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment Customer service experience Bilingual (Spanish)
   Here's what to know about working here:
   
   At Baytree, our vision is to accomplish landscaping goals while providing the best possible experience for our employees and our clients. We value integrity, safety, and teamwork. We emphasize investing in our team through knowledge and trust. If you are ready to build a confident career while building beautiful landscapes, join us!
   
   In addition to industry-leading development opportunities and competitive salary, employees may be eligible for benefits and perks like:
   Paid time off Health and wellness coverage 401k savings plan
   We are dedicated to delivering a picture-perfect experience for our team.
   
   The Company is an Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find general superintendents for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your general superintendent job on Zippia to find and recruit general superintendent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit general superintendents, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new general superintendent

   Once you've selected the best general superintendent candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new general superintendent. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a general superintendent?