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 superintendent responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real project superintendent resumes:
- 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.
- Develop and maintain an effective CQC system throughout the duration of a project.
- Coordinate material testing laboratories and maintain CQC meeting notes and a noncompliance log.
- Serve as the SSHO person of contact to conduct the required site and safety analysis and observations.
- Project require asbestos remediation and the complete remodel of the entire MEP systems, roofing system and all interior/exterior finishes.
- Process request for proposals (RFP's) for time and value, process request for information (RFI's).
- Supervise all sub-trades, interface with consultants, independent inspectors and engineers and local city building, plumbing and fire departments.
- Oversee the removal and replacement of existing storm and sanitary sewers, main water lines, underground electrical, and plumbing.
- Coordinate HVAC subcontract demolition and installation, concrete demolition and placement subcontractor.
- Coordinate with Boeing line-fit focal for IFE logistics planning and support including aircraft availability.
Project superintendent skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Project Superintendents are proficient in OSHA, Construction Management, and General Contractors. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Customer-service skills.
We break down the percentage of Project Superintendents that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- OSHA, 12%
Led safety compliance by conducting regular safety meetings with subcontractors and strictly enforcing safety policies and procedures, including OSHA regulations.
- Construction Management, 8%
Conducted on-site coordination and consultation of module erection and installation to construction management teams at client owned sites.
- General Contractors, 7%
Collaborated with general contractors, engineers and inspectors to meet quality and completion goals by staffing jobs effectively.
- Construction Projects, 7%
Supervised all phases of work and directed subcontractors from ground-breaking to final turn-over of highly regulated construction projects.
- Quality Standards, 7%
Maintain exceptional crew morale and environmental safety, fostering strong performance and quality standards.
- Safety Program, 6%
Authored and implemented the company's first Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Safety Program and developed a comprehensive company safety program.
Most project superintendents use their skills in "osha," "construction management," and "general contractors" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential project superintendent responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a project superintendent to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what project superintendents do because "construction managers must be able to plan strategies, investigate project cost variances, and solve problems over the course of a project." Additionally, a project superintendent resume shows how project superintendents use analytical skills: "prepare shop drawings and surveying data analysis using autocad 2007. "
Business skills. Many project superintendent duties rely on business skills. "construction managers need to prepare and follow project budgets, hire and manage staff, and coordinate with other workers and managers," so a project superintendent will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways project superintendent responsibilities rely on business skills: "phased demo & reconstruction while actively in-business.- built 10,000 square foot interior mezzanine for a manufacturing facility. "
Technical skills. Another skill commonly found on project superintendent job descriptions is "technical skills." It can come up quite often in project superintendent duties, since "construction managers must have an applied knowledge of concepts and practices common in the industry, such as construction technologies, contracts, and technical drawings." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day project superintendent responsibilities: "perform safety inspections at all tc facilities technical expert on tc automated systems. "
The three companies that hire the most project superintendents are:
- Black & Veatch86 project superintendents jobs
- The Walsh Group46 project superintendents jobs
- Turner Construction41 project superintendents jobs
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Compare different project superintendents
Project superintendent vs. Installation manager
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between project superintendents and installation manager. For instance, project superintendent responsibilities require skills such as "construction management," "construction projects," "safety program," and "cleanliness." Whereas a installation manager is skilled in "customer satisfaction," "windows," "payroll," and "strong customer service." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Installation managers tend to make the most money working in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $82,073. In contrast, project superintendents make the biggest average salary, $95,092, in the construction industry.installation managers tend to reach similar levels of education than project superintendents. In fact, installation managers are 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Project superintendent vs. Construction manager
A 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. They must also hire the required workforce, identify and resolve issues, maintain daily reports and communication with clients, and prioritize a safe work environment. Above all, they must see that all of the required protocols are met, including the target completion time and budget.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real project superintendent resumes. While project superintendent responsibilities can utilize skills like "safety program," "cleanliness," "project safety," and "safety procedures," construction managers use skills like "customer service," "real estate," "project scope," and "strong computer."
Construction managers may earn a lower salary than project superintendents, but construction managers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $90,768. On the other hand, project superintendents receive higher pay in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,092.In general, construction managers achieve similar levels of education than project superintendents. They're 3.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project superintendent vs. Director of construction
A Director Of Construction is responsible for supervision of all construction-related projects. They review project progress, address issues, and adjust schedules and budgets.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a project superintendent is likely to be skilled in "safety program," "cleanliness," "punch list," and "ladders," while a typical director of construction is skilled in "real estate," "value engineering," "development projects," and "capital projects."
Directors of construction make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $127,615. On the other hand, project superintendents are paid the highest salary in the construction industry, with average annual pay of $95,092.directors of construction typically earn higher educational levels compared to project superintendents. Specifically, they're 7.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Project superintendent vs. Construction coordinator
A construction coordinator is in charge of overseeing the workforce and the workflow on a construction site, ensuring that all operations adhere to the standards, deadlines, budgets, and goals. Typically, it is their responsibility to liaise with clients and other professionals, organize work schedules, delegate tasks, and conduct regular inspections to ensure the quality of work. Furthermore, as a construction coordinator, it is essential to implement the safety rules and regulations to maintain a healthy and safe work environment for everyone.
Types of project superintendent
Updated January 8, 2025
