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Project superintendent vs installation manager

The differences between project superintendents and installation managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a project superintendent and an installation manager. Additionally, a project superintendent has an average salary of $97,517, which is higher than the $70,785 average annual salary of an installation manager.

The top three skills for a project superintendent include OSHA, construction management and general contractors. The most important skills for an installation manager are customer satisfaction, project management, and safety standards.

Project superintendent vs installation manager overview

Project SuperintendentInstallation Manager
Yearly salary$97,517$70,785
Hourly rate$46.88$34.03
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs71,44981,420
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

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.

What does an installation manager do?

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. Furthermore, as an installation manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while implementing the safety standards and regulations for a safe work environment.

Project superintendent vs installation manager salary

Project superintendents and installation managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Project SuperintendentInstallation Manager
Average salary$97,517$70,785
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $133,000Between $48,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutOregon
Best paying companyThe Weitz CompanyKLA
Best paying industryConstructionGovernment

Differences between project superintendent and installation manager education

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

Project SuperintendentInstallation Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Southern California

Project superintendent vs installation manager demographics

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

Project SuperintendentInstallation Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 97.3% Female, 2.7%Male, 89.9% Female, 10.1%
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, 3.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.1% White, 78.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%7%

Differences between project superintendent and installation manager duties and responsibilities

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

Installation manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage contractors installing all product categories (flooring, plumbing, kitchen, millwork, etc . )
  • Conduct ongoing quality inspections, identifying potential issues and implementing corrective action plan to achieve safety and QA standards.
  • Manage construction retrofit and extremely unrefine system installation for a difficult bureaucratic customer.
  • Manage HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration, and refrigeration prefabrication services in the mechanical construction department.
  • Receive above average ratings/results from QA, QC, DA-IG, IMCOM, COR, DHR inspections.
  • Install and calibrate QC instruments.
  • Show more

Project superintendent vs installation manager skills

Common project superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 12%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%
Common installation manager skills
  • Customer Satisfaction, 14%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 7%
  • Windows, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • HVAC, 5%

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