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Owner/project manager vs general contractor

The differences between owner/project managers and general contractors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both an owner/project manager and a general contractor. Additionally, an owner/project manager has an average salary of $95,253, which is higher than the $66,602 average annual salary of a general contractor.

The top three skills for an owner/project manager include project management, general contractors and construction management. The most important skills for a general contractor are plumbing, safety regulations, and contract negotiations.

Owner/project manager vs general contractor overview

Owner/Project ManagerGeneral Contractor
Yearly salary$95,253$66,602
Hourly rate$45.79$32.02
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs163,04066,218
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does an owner/project manager do?

An Owner/Project Manager is responsible for delivering every project on time within the budget and scope of the company. They are also in charge of the overall management of the company.

What does a general contractor do?

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.

Owner/project manager vs general contractor salary

Owner/project managers and general contractors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Owner/Project ManagerGeneral Contractor
Average salary$95,253$66,602
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $126,000Between $41,000 And $107,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between owner/project manager and general contractor education

There are a few differences between an owner/project manager and a general contractor in terms of educational background:

Owner/Project ManagerGeneral Contractor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Owner/project manager vs general contractor demographics

Here are the differences between owner/project managers' and general contractors' demographics:

Owner/Project ManagerGeneral Contractor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 80.8% Female, 19.2%Male, 90.6% Female, 9.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between owner/project manager and general contractor duties and responsibilities

Owner/project manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage team of engineering and construction professionals to analyze and replace HVAC systems with office building fully operational.
  • Manage and conduct the development of a SharePoint base system for providing notifications of application and automation releases throughout the enterprise.
  • Assist with coordination of MEP trades during shop drawing phase.
  • Develop multiple award winning designs from initial hand sketch to press ready files.
  • Prepare RFP's and solicit proposals from contractors, consultants and special purpose providers.
  • Have lead several large projects through complete 3D BIM coordination of all MEP trades.
  • Show more

General contractor example responsibilities.

  • Manage the repair/replacement of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and structural of primarily historical residences.
  • Manage third party contractors including safety oversight, environmental design specification compliance, and similar construction specifications and requirements.
  • Perform electrical, mechanical (HVAC), plumbing, framing, roofing and finishing construction for residential and commercial buildings.
  • Remodel restaurants, which include painting, dry wall, tiling, plumbing, electrical and laying carpet.
  • Assist and perform all duties with installation of cabinets, flooring, sheetrock, framing, concrete, and basic plumbing.
  • Experience in roofing, painting, digging of footers, and tile setting.
  • Show more

Owner/project manager vs general contractor skills

Common owner/project manager skills
  • Project Management, 19%
  • General Contractors, 10%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Project Scope, 5%
  • Construction Process, 4%
Common general contractor skills
  • Plumbing, 17%
  • Safety Regulations, 12%
  • Contract Negotiations, 11%
  • Drywall Installation, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
  • Payroll, 4%

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