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Site supervisor vs construction manager

The differences between site supervisors and construction managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a site supervisor, becoming a construction manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a construction manager has an average salary of $81,313, which is higher than the $48,250 average annual salary of a site supervisor.

The top three skills for a site supervisor include customer service, safety procedures and incident reports. The most important skills for a construction manager are project management, construction management, and construction projects.

Site supervisor vs construction manager overview

Site SupervisorConstruction Manager
Yearly salary$48,250$81,313
Hourly rate$23.20$39.09
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs20,02544,431
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4646
Years of experience-8

What does a site supervisor do?

A site supervisor oversees the work operations in a construction site, ensuring the efficiency of workflow and safety of the workforce. The tasks of a site supervisor primarily revolve around conducting inspections and assessing risks, managing and evaluating workers, and coordinating with site foreman and suppliers. They also work on producing reports and making sure that all processes adhere to the safety guidelines and regulations. Furthermore, it is also the task of the supervisor to ensure that the progress is completed within the budget and set timeline.

What does a construction manager do?

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.

Site supervisor vs construction manager salary

Site supervisors and construction managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Site SupervisorConstruction Manager
Average salary$48,250$81,313
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $70,000Between $54,000 And $120,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyHawaii
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between site supervisor and construction manager education

There are a few differences between a site supervisor and a construction manager in terms of educational background:

Site SupervisorConstruction Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college-California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Site supervisor vs construction manager demographics

Here are the differences between site supervisors' and construction managers' demographics:

Site SupervisorConstruction Manager
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 64.1% Female, 35.9%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 22.3% Asian, 1.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 3.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 2.8% White, 71.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage2%4%

Differences between site supervisor and construction manager duties and responsibilities

Site supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Supervise subcontractors and conduct onsite inspections to ensure exceptional project outcomes achieve on-time and within budget.
  • Perform mechanical tasks such as framing, drywall, HVAC, and finish carpentry.
  • Coordinate carpentry work, HVAC installs, electrical work, plumbing and other trades.
  • chain see use and experience in different roping techniques, drive and use log truck, bobcat mini skidder
  • Approve and process staff payroll and other miscellaneous financial transactions.
  • Maintain reports and ensures accuracy of necessary documentation including time management, scheduling and payroll
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Construction manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage three geotechnical engineers, a general contractor , 45 sub-contractors, and consultants.
  • Manage all contractor-relate tasks from RFI submissions through payment administration.
  • Manage and coordinate architects, structural engineers, MEP engineers and subcontractors technical departments.
  • Manage complete design and construction coordination of company's retail properties throughout the Washington/Baltimore area market.
  • Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, control inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
  • Implement and maintain construction safety regulations according to OSHA requirements, and ensure environmental protection regulatory compliance with engineering standards.
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Site supervisor vs construction manager skills

Common site supervisor skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Incident Reports, 8%
  • HR, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Site Supervision, 5%
Common construction manager skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Construction Management, 12%
  • Construction Projects, 9%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Oversight, 4%

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