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Senior construction manager vs general superintendent

The differences between senior construction managers and general superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a senior construction manager, becoming a general superintendent takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a senior construction manager has an average salary of $110,926, which is higher than the $75,102 average annual salary of a general superintendent.

The top three skills for a senior construction manager include OSHA, project management and construction projects. The most important skills for a general superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and project management.

Senior construction manager vs general superintendent overview

Senior Construction ManagerGeneral Superintendent
Yearly salary$110,926$75,102
Hourly rate$53.33$36.11
Growth rate8%6%
Number of jobs36,14592,424
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4644
Years of experience86

What does a senior construction manager do?

Senior construction managers implement the preconstruction, construction, commission, and project closeout of a development project. The construction managers establish and maintain controls of the projects and complete them on time and cost-effectively. Their duties include the management of accounts, handling of staff assignments, control of income and revenue, and tracking program expenses. They supervise external consultants and employees. Also, they plan and administer the finances and expenses of businesses or corporations.

What does a general superintendent do?

A general superintendent is primarily in charge of overseeing projects and programs, ensuring operations adhere to standards and requirements. In the construction industry, a general superintendent supervises the daily procedures in a construction site to ensure the project's completion within budget, schedule, and quality standards. They also have other administrative duties, such as coordinating with contractors and suppliers, monitoring the inventory of materials, purchasing supplies according to project requirements, developing reports, conducting inspections, and implementing safety policies and regulations.

Senior construction manager vs general superintendent salary

Senior construction managers and general superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Senior Construction ManagerGeneral Superintendent
Average salary$110,926$75,102
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $174,000Between $52,000 And $107,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateHawaiiDelaware
Best paying companyRoss StoresSouthern California Edison
Best paying industryHospitalityEnergy

Differences between senior construction manager and general superintendent education

There are a few differences between a senior construction manager and a general superintendent in terms of educational background:

Senior Construction ManagerGeneral Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior construction manager vs general superintendent demographics

Here are the differences between senior construction managers' and general superintendents' demographics:

Senior Construction ManagerGeneral Superintendent
Average age4644
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage4%10%

Differences between senior construction manager and general superintendent duties and responsibilities

Senior construction manager example responsibilities.

  • Conduct safety meetings, SWPPP inspections, and manage RFI systems.
  • Manage complete design and construction coordination of company's retail properties throughout the Washington/Baltimore area market.
  • Review RFI, payment application, change orders and perform budget and cost analysis.
  • Provide safety raining to all construction personnel, which comply with safety protocols for the job site and OSHA.
  • Project Manager/Superintendent for phase construction renovations that consist of plumbing, mechanical and electrical system replacement and upgrade.
  • Coordinate implementation of construction works completely to satisfy approve architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical and plumbing design plans.
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General superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage and coordinate all aspects of HVAC relate jobs for a mechanical contractor.
  • Manage the field installation of pipe, instrumentation and HVAC systems throughout the plant.
  • Implement and direct shipping and receiving functions and manage salaried and hourly UAW staff in both functions.
  • Develop and manage instrumental and equipment proper handling regulations in compliance CLIA.
  • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
  • Lead and develop direct reports ensuring they are competently skil to perform their QA roles.
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Senior construction manager vs general superintendent skills

Common senior construction manager skills
  • OSHA, 15%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Construction Projects, 8%
  • Design, 7%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Infrastructure, 6%
Common general superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Quality Standards, 5%
  • Excellent Organizational, 5%
  • General Contractors, 5%

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