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Project superintendent vs project engineering manager

The differences between project superintendents and project engineering managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a project superintendent, becoming a project engineering manager takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a project engineering manager has an average salary of $110,534, which is higher than the $97,517 average annual salary of a project superintendent.

The top three skills for a project superintendent include OSHA, construction management and general contractors. The most important skills for a project engineering manager are project management, project scope, and engineering design.

Project superintendent vs project engineering manager overview

Project SuperintendentProject Engineering Manager
Yearly salary$97,517$110,534
Hourly rate$46.88$53.14
Growth rate8%2%
Number of jobs71,449171,897
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4648
Years of experience8-

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 a project engineering manager do?

A project engineering manager's job is to oversee engineering projects in diverse industries, including transportation, software development, and utility industries. They are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of intricate designs and evaluating and approving changes that may affect the scope, budget, and completion of a project. They also perform other essential tasks, including monitoring the project's progress and performance, developing maintenance plans, and preparing expenditure reports. Project engineering managers are also expected to resolve any issues that may arise from operations.

Project superintendent vs project engineering manager salary

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

Project SuperintendentProject Engineering Manager
Average salary$97,517$110,534
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $133,000Between $79,000 And $153,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyThe Weitz CompanyApple
Best paying industryConstructionTechnology

Differences between project superintendent and project engineering manager education

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

Project SuperintendentProject Engineering Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessMechanical Engineering
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Project superintendent vs project engineering manager demographics

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

Project SuperintendentProject Engineering Manager
Average age4648
Gender ratioMale, 97.3% Female, 2.7%Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2%
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, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 12.0% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%9%

Differences between project superintendent and project engineering 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

Project engineering manager example responsibilities.

  • Interview, hire and manage engineering and cad teams to accomplish all projects acquire with quality and on-time delivery.
  • Manage APQP tasks and submit documentation to customer.
  • Lead an engineering team that develop a vision technology product resulting in winning multiple DOD awards.
  • Manage UL, FCC and ANSI testing of new products and product production with contract manufacturers.
  • Establish SharePoint site to manage all records to ensure facility is built codes and standards if audit by regulators.
  • Manage desktop, server and network teams' projects, and fill in as Unix support for tape backup management.
  • Show more

Project superintendent vs project engineering manager skills

Common project superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 12%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%
Common project engineering manager skills
  • Project Management, 22%
  • Project Scope, 6%
  • Engineering Design, 4%
  • Autocad, 4%
  • Capital Projects, 4%
  • Project Execution, 3%

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