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How to hire a project superintendent

Project superintendent hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring project superintendents in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a project superintendent is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per project superintendent on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 215,725 project superintendents in the US and 71,449 job openings.
  • Phoenix, AZ, has the highest demand for project superintendents, with 19 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of project superintendents.

How to hire a project superintendent, step by step

To hire a project superintendent, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a project superintendent:

Here's a step-by-step project 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 project superintendent job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new project superintendent
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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.

Learn more about the specifics of what a project superintendent does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The project 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?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a project 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 project superintendent that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of project superintendents.

    Type of Project SuperintendentDescriptionHourly rate
    Project SuperintendentConstruction managers plan, coordinate, budget, and supervise construction projects from start to finish.$34-63
    Installation ManagerAn 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
    Construction ManagerA 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • OSHA
    • Construction Management
    • General Contractors
    • Construction Projects
    • Quality Standards
    • Safety Program
    • Project Management
    • Cleanliness
    • Oversight
    • Punch List
    • Ladders
    • Construction Sites
    • Cost Control
    • Shop Drawings
    Check all skills
    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.
    More project superintendent duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your project superintendent job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A project superintendent can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, project superintendents' average salary in arkansas is 36% less than in connecticut.
    • Seniority. Entry-level project superintendents 47% less than senior-level project superintendents.
    • Certifications. A project superintendent with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a project superintendent's salary.

    Average project superintendent salary

    $97,517yearly

    $46.88 hourly rate

    Entry-level project superintendent salary
    $71,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 21, 2025

    Average project superintendent salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Connecticut$110,424$53
    2Massachusetts$109,845$53
    3Nevada$106,905$51
    4New York$102,762$49
    5Utah$102,167$49
    6West Virginia$101,949$49
    7Louisiana$101,518$49
    8Pennsylvania$99,329$48
    9California$97,124$47
    10Alabama$96,052$46
    11Washington$96,001$46
    12Oklahoma$94,543$45
    13Nebraska$93,994$45
    14New Hampshire$93,723$45
    15Maryland$91,369$44
    16Delaware$87,603$42
    17Minnesota$86,851$42
    18Montana$86,844$42
    19Missouri$85,778$41
    20Arizona$85,478$41

    Average project superintendent salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1The Weitz Company$136,185$65.4742
    2PCS Retirement$118,992$57.21
    3Redfin$115,866$55.70
    4Pinkard Construction$111,643$53.676
    5Flournoy Development Company LLC$111,141$53.43
    6Avalonbay Communities, Inc.$110,705$53.228
    7Sundt Construction$108,441$52.1472
    8Black & Veatch$108,329$52.08246
    9Edgewood Properties$108,320$52.082
    10Turner Construction$107,968$51.91359
    11MDU Resources$107,290$51.58
    12Brinkmann Constructors$105,449$50.7012
    13Hensel Phelps$105,409$50.6866
    14Mortenson$105,191$50.57161
    15Randstad North America, Inc.$104,598$50.296
    16Kitchell$104,457$50.2215
    17Woods Services$103,900$49.95
    18JRM Construction Management$103,708$49.8626
    19Cushman & Wakefield$102,953$49.50242
    20Baker Concrete Construction$102,670$49.3687
  4. Writing a project superintendent job description

    A good project superintendent job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a project superintendent job description:

    Project superintendent job description example

    At Hagerman we work, live, and do business with a distinct set of principles. It isn’t just what we do; it’s who we are. We’ve built a reputation for quality, integrity, and a passion for helping our community. We place a strong emphasis on teamwork. This means hiring the best people and doing whatever we can to help employees succeed. We offer a competitive salary, along with PTO and paid holidays, excellent health and welfare benefits, and 401k with company match.

    We are seeking candidates for Senior Project Superintendent for our Fishers, IN office. Experience in supervision of self-performed concrete and carpentry on large scale vertical projects (over 5MM, up to 100MM) required.


    Ideal candidates will have a minimum 15 years of progressive field construction experience, typically as a trades worker, foreperson, Project Superintendent, or other related role, including at least 5 years of experience in a field supervisory role. BA/BS/AS or other accredited degree may substitute for up to 4 years of experience. High level of technical knowledge and problem-solving capabilities equivalent to that derived from construction or engineering-related training. Proficiency in reading plans and specifications and must have overall knowledge of construction industry, i.e., mechanical, electrical, etc. Demonstrated ability to thoroughly understand project finances. Demonstrated effective verbal, written, skills. Demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking skills. Must hold a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle record must meet standards of insurability. Demonstrated ability to use various software applications including: PM software (ProCore preferred), Microsoft Suite, including ability to understand cost spreadsheets, aging report, labor productivity report. Must be familiar with contract administration, Requests for Information, Schedule of Values, preparation and adjustment to monthly billings, preparation of construction schedules including predecessors, successors, constraints, float and lags.


    Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.


    Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test, or have an active CCS (or equivalent) status. This position does not include sponsorship for US Work Authorization.


    This Posting will remain open to gather qualified candidates for current and future needs. Applicants will receive an initial confirmation of receipt; however, due to high volume of applications, applicants will only receive further notifications if hiring team wishes to interview.


    Notice to third parties: Please note that Hagerman does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Hagerman will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Hagerman explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Hagerman.


    An Equal Opportunity Employer.

  5. Post your job

    To find project superintendents for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any project superintendents they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level project superintendents with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your project superintendent job on Zippia to find and recruit project superintendent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting project superintendents requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    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 project superintendent

    Once you've found the project superintendent candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new project superintendent first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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 project superintendent?

Hiring a project superintendent comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting project superintendents involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of project superintendent recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $97,517 per year for a project superintendent, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for project superintendents in the US typically range between $34 and $63 an hour.

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