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Material project manager vs construction superintendent

The differences between material project managers and construction superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a material project manager, becoming a construction superintendent takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a construction superintendent has an average salary of $87,486, which is higher than the $86,465 average annual salary of a material project manager.

The top three skills for a material project manager include asphalt, project management and construction materials. The most important skills for a construction superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and project management.

Material project manager vs construction superintendent overview

Material Project ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Yearly salary$86,465$87,486
Hourly rate$41.57$42.06
Growth rate-6%8%
Number of jobs127,32334,822
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4746
Years of experience68

What does a material project manager do?

A material project manager acts as the contact person for various projects of a company. This person is responsible for providing information, updates, and reports on the status and progress. The material project manager also monitors the project from start to finish and ensures that all materials needed for the project are available, delivered on time, and is according to the quality set by the company's quality assurance team. Aside from this primary task, the material project manager also oversees the employees working under the production department and ensures optimal productivity and constant output.

What does a construction superintendent do?

A construction superintendent's role is to oversee all construction plans and operations, ensuring quality completion within a specified timeframe. Some of their responsibilities are to inspect all sites, coordinate with contractors and engineers, manage the budget and expenditure, purchase necessary materials and equipment, and make schedules. Aside from producing daily progress reports, a construction superintendent also addresses issues and concerns should there be any. Furthermore, they must implement all safety regulations and policies to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Material project manager vs construction superintendent salary

Material project managers and construction superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Material Project ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Average salary$86,465$87,486
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $116,000Between $61,000 And $123,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyApplied MaterialsColdwell Banker Morris Real Estate
Best paying industryAutomotiveEnergy

Differences between material project manager and construction superintendent education

There are a few differences between a material project manager and a construction superintendent in terms of educational background:

Material Project ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Material project manager vs construction superintendent demographics

Here are the differences between material project managers' and construction superintendents' demographics:

Material Project ManagerConstruction Superintendent
Average age4746
Gender ratioMale, 73.4% Female, 26.6%Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.4% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.4% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%4%

Differences between material project manager and construction superintendent duties and responsibilities

Material project manager example responsibilities.

  • Lead business process re-engineering efforts as well as a comprehensive re-implementation of the ERP system with responsibility for training and implementation.
  • Develop and negotiate $30 million third-party logistics service contract to support lean manufacturing operations.
  • Submit RFI s as needed.
  • Design RFP bidding template for internal and external clients.
  • Serve as project manager for the implementation of new ERP software system.
  • Train and mindful of all GMP protocol for small-scale and PRL scale lab work.
  • Show more

Construction superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage crew on apartment, condo and town-home remodel and restoration projects.
  • Manage the MEP coordination meetings, as well as performing mechanical superintendent duties.
  • Manage the supervising of construction and installation of HVAC restoration in historical government hospital buildings.
  • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
  • Communicate with EOR/Architect/Construction PM/Superintendent/fab shop on all shop drawings as needed to resolve RFI's and change orders.
  • Avoid disputes & claims through comprehensive proposals, email correspondence, RFI's, & daily reporting.
  • Show more

Material project manager vs construction superintendent skills

Common material project manager skills
  • Asphalt, 16%
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Construction Materials, 11%
  • ASTM, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • Process Improvement, 5%
Common construction superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 13%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Construction Sites, 5%
  • Safety Program, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%

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