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Senior project manager construction vs project superintendent

The differences between senior project managers construction and project superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-8 years to become both a senior project manager construction and a project superintendent. Additionally, a senior project manager construction has an average salary of $120,505, which is higher than the $97,517 average annual salary of a project superintendent.

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

Senior project manager construction vs project superintendent overview

Senior Project Manager ConstructionProject Superintendent
Yearly salary$120,505$97,517
Hourly rate$57.94$46.88
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs129,81971,449
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age4646
Years of experience88

What does a senior project manager construction do?

Senior Project Managers for Construction oversee the construction progress on a particular project site. They manage the whole project and ensure that the project timeline is being followed. They delegate activities and ensure that there is movement on a daily basis. They coordinate with contractors and foremen to ensure that the construction is meeting the project timeline. Senior Project Managers ensure that all the needed materials are readily available and that company resources are well-managed. They also direct tasks for junior project managers and are expected to be on top of occupational safety and health procedures.

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.

Senior project manager construction vs project superintendent salary

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

Senior Project Manager ConstructionProject Superintendent
Average salary$120,505$97,517
Salary rangeBetween $83,000 And $173,000Between $71,000 And $133,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAHartford, CT
Highest paying stateCaliforniaConnecticut
Best paying companyThe Weitz CompanyThe Weitz Company
Best paying industryConstructionConstruction

Differences between senior project manager construction and project superintendent education

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

Senior Project Manager ConstructionProject Superintendent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Senior project manager construction vs project superintendent demographics

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

Senior Project Manager ConstructionProject Superintendent
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 90.9% Female, 9.1%Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7%
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, 3.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between senior project manager construction and project superintendent duties and responsibilities

Senior project manager construction example responsibilities.

  • Produce employee schedules and manage finances including payroll, invoicing, and QuickBooks.
  • Coordinate and manage various services with outside vendors, surveyors, geotechnical and environmental consultants.
  • Develop MEP punch list in all rooms of all buildings, and manage subcontractors through completion.
  • Lead the efforts for testing of the windows base rally application and the website for results delivery.
  • Manage onsite supervisors to meet requirements of layouts of plans and construction specifications.
  • Provide daily on-site management of active developments, manage quality control and provide safety oversight.
  • Show more

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

Senior project manager construction vs project superintendent skills

Common senior project manager construction skills
  • Project Management, 20%
  • Construction Projects, 13%
  • Real Estate, 10%
  • Cash Flow, 5%
  • Construction Administration, 3%
  • Project Scope, 2%
Common project superintendent skills
  • OSHA, 12%
  • Construction Management, 8%
  • General Contractors, 7%
  • Construction Projects, 7%
  • Quality Standards, 7%
  • Safety Program, 6%

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