Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between site/project managers 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 site/project manager and a project superintendent. Additionally, a project superintendent has an average salary of $97,517, which is higher than the $85,701 average annual salary of a site/project manager.
The top three skills for a site/project manager include project management, infrastructure and oversight. The most important skills for a project superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and general contractors.
| Site/Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Yearly salary | $85,701 | $97,517 |
| Hourly rate | $41.20 | $46.88 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 120,282 | 71,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 8 |
Site/project managers are professionals who are responsible for managing construction projects and ensuring that these projects are completed on time and within budget. These managers must make sure that the projects are following the specifications and requirements of their clients while liaising with quantity surveyors to monitor costs. They must supervise construction as well as select tools and materials to be used in completing construction projects. Site/project managers must also conduct safety inspections to ensure that construction sites are following health and safety protocols.
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.
Site/project managers and project superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Site/Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Average salary | $85,701 | $97,517 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $119,000 | Between $71,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, CA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Meta | The Weitz Company |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Construction |
There are a few differences between a site/project manager and a project superintendent in terms of educational background:
| Site/Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between site/project managers' and project superintendents' demographics:
| Site/Project Manager | Project Superintendent | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.4% Female, 16.6% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.5% 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 Percentage | 4% | 4% |