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Project superintendent vs project safety manager

The differences between project superintendents and project safety 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 safety manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a project safety manager has an average salary of $100,955, 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 safety manager are OSHA, safety program, and project safety.

Project superintendent vs project safety manager overview

Project SuperintendentProject Safety Manager
Yearly salary$97,517$100,955
Hourly rate$46.88$48.54
Growth rate8%4%
Number of jobs71,449111,653
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4642
Years of experience82

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 safety manager do?

Project Safety Managers are responsible for ensuring the project workplace environment adheres to health and safety standards. Their duties include coordinating safety meetings, conducting audits, performing site inspections, implementing corrective action, and coordinating compliance training sessions. They are responsible for creating an emergency action plan, becoming primary contact for any site injuries and case management, and maintains an inspection log. Project Safety Managers also administer project budgeting, coordinate invoices, reporting project status, and attends team meetings.

Project superintendent vs project safety manager salary

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

Project SuperintendentProject Safety Manager
Average salary$97,517$100,955
Salary rangeBetween $71,000 And $133,000Between $72,000 And $140,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CT-
Highest paying stateConnecticut-
Best paying companyThe Weitz Company-
Best paying industryConstruction-

Differences between project superintendent and project safety manager education

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

Project SuperintendentProject Safety Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo-

Project superintendent vs project safety manager demographics

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

Project SuperintendentProject Safety Manager
Average age4642
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, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.8% Asian, 9.7% White, 69.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between project superintendent and project safety 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 safety manager example responsibilities.

  • Achieve EPA approve closure of the chemical waste treatment plant through manufacturing process restructuring.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional team to successfully achieve initial ISO 14001certification.
  • Conduct weekly focuse inspections and audits on safety elements with different contractors to confirm compliance with project and GE EHS requirements.
  • Coordinate compliance visits by environmental agencies, OSHA inspections and utility inspections.
  • Ensure timely and proper implementation recommendations or corrective actions following OSHA plant inspections.
  • Conduct incident investigations and EHS audits and track resulting action items to completion.
  • Show more

Project superintendent vs project safety 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 safety manager skills
  • OSHA, 9%
  • Safety Program, 8%
  • Project Safety, 7%
  • Safety Standards, 6%
  • Site Safety, 5%
  • Safety Reports, 5%

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