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Project executive vs project superintendent

The differences between project executives and project superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a project executive has an average salary of $123,391, which is higher than the $97,517 average annual salary of a project superintendent.

The top three skills for a project executive include construction management, project management and healthcare. The most important skills for a project superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and general contractors.

Project executive vs project superintendent overview

Project ExecutiveProject Superintendent
Yearly salary$123,391$97,517
Hourly rate$59.32$46.88
Growth rate16%8%
Number of jobs137,16071,449
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4746
Years of experience-8

What does a project executive do?

A project executive spearheads the projects and programs of an organization, ensuring its completion within deadlines, budgets, and standards. They mainly have administrative duties, such as streamlining project requirements and guidelines, establishing goals and budgets, setting timelines, delegating responsibilities among teams, selecting resources and materials, and monitoring operations, addressing issues and concerns when any arise. Additionally, a project executive leads employees to reach goals and implements the company standards and policies for an efficient workflow and service.

What does a project superintendent do?

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.

Project executive vs project superintendent salary

Project executives and project superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project ExecutiveProject Superintendent
Average salary$123,391$97,517
Salary rangeBetween $79,000 And $191,000Between $71,000 And $133,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateAlaskaConnecticut
Best paying companyEckardt GroupThe Weitz Company
Best paying industry-Construction

Differences between project executive and project superintendent education

There are a few differences between a project executive and a project superintendent in terms of educational background:

Project ExecutiveProject Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Project executive vs project superintendent demographics

Here are the differences between project executives' and project superintendents' demographics:

Project ExecutiveProject Superintendent
Average age4746
Gender ratioMale, 74.4% Female, 25.6%Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage10%4%

Differences between project executive and project superintendent duties and responsibilities

Project executive example responsibilities.

  • Note for co-authoring and managing RFP process.
  • Manage projects using ITIL and SDLC methodologies.
  • Manage vendors and internal service owners to create the proper operating model to deliver service against SLAs.
  • Lead cross-functional team delivery execution of top-of-rack and embed converged network architecture switches.
  • Coordinate and manage project delivery of healthcare design and construction projects in collaboration with hospital staff.
  • Lead operational transformation projects, perform service line volume projections, and feasibility exercises for various facilities.
  • Show more

Project superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage design build, MEP, metal frame, dry wall, paint, high end cabinetry, turn- key project.
  • Initiate and manage RFI's between owner/engineer/architects.
  • Manage third party contractors including safety oversight, environmental design specification compliance, and similar construction specifications and requirements.
  • Lead safety compliance by conducting regular safety meetings with subcontractors and strictly enforcing safety policies and procedures, including OSHA regulations.
  • Develop and establish project safety guidelines adhering to OSHA standards and daily procedures.
  • Design products in AutoCAD base on field measurements for CNC machines.
  • Show more

Project executive vs project superintendent skills

Common project executive skills
  • Construction Management, 13%
  • Project Management, 11%
  • Healthcare, 9%
  • Business Development, 7%
  • Client Satisfaction, 5%
  • Portfolio, 4%
Common project superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 12%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%

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