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Senior construction manager vs superintendent

The differences between senior construction managers and 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 superintendent takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a senior construction manager has an average salary of $110,926, which is higher than the $82,458 average annual salary of a superintendent.

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

Senior construction manager vs superintendent overview

Senior Construction ManagerSuperintendent
Yearly salary$110,926$82,458
Hourly rate$53.33$39.64
Growth rate8%5%
Number of jobs36,14522,580
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age4647
Years of experience84

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 superintendent do?

Superintendents oversee the administration of schools in a specific school district. They manage the educational programs of each school and create strategic decisions to ensure that the students are learning important subjects. They also supervise school administrators or principals and are responsible for hiring and guiding them. Superintendents should be familiar with their constituents and must always be ready to listen to their needs. It is important that superintendents are good decision-makers and communicators. They are expected to lead their respective districts in achieving their vision. Superintendents drive the team towards their goals and create strategic steps to ensure success.

Senior construction manager vs superintendent salary

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

Senior Construction ManagerSuperintendent
Average salary$110,926$82,458
Salary rangeBetween $70,000 And $174,000Between $57,000 And $119,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiRhode Island
Best paying companyRoss StoresBP America Inc
Best paying industryHospitalityConstruction

Differences between senior construction manager and superintendent education

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

Senior Construction ManagerSuperintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Pennsylvania

Senior construction manager vs superintendent demographics

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

Senior Construction ManagerSuperintendent
Average age4647
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%16%

Differences between senior construction manager and 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.
  • Show more

Superintendent example responsibilities.

  • Manage, coordinate, plan and provide oversight for all nuclear work perform during PSA's.
  • Manage $9.1M budget; 28,000 grind and flight training requirements and 2,400 hr flying training program.
  • Manage a team of 30 operators and maintenance personnel producing extrusion and blown polypropylene shrink film on a unionize site.
  • Lead and facilitate meetings; oversee implementation of OSHA and company safety regulations.
  • Manage complex logistics, including procuring materials and navigating space constraints, to successfully complete project amid concurrent construction of building.
  • Coordinate and oversee commercial roofing projects.
  • Show more

Senior construction manager vs superintendent skills

Common senior construction manager skills
  • OSHA, 15%
  • Project Management, 9%
  • Construction Projects, 8%
  • Design, 7%
  • Oversight, 6%
  • Infrastructure, 6%
Common superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 11%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Construction Management, 7%
  • Logistics, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%

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