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.
Site supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real site supervisor resumes:
- 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
- Supervise enterprise-level DoD communications enclave.
- Work with mini excavators, bobcats and man lifts.
- Supervise enterprise-level DoD communications enclave.
Site supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Site Supervisors are proficient in Customer Service, Safety Procedures, and Incident Reports. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Business skills, and Initiative.
We break down the percentage of Site Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 21%
Formatted an exceptional turn around system of exceptional customer service response that produced the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness.
- Safety Procedures, 10%
Instructed newly hired personnel on rail yard operations including safety procedures and guidelines.
- Incident Reports, 8%
Coordinated security logs with shift responsibilities and reviewed incident reports prior to submitting to manager.
- HR, 7%
Recommend disciplinary action to HR Manager, and review disciplinary action by supervisors for effectiveness and consistency.
- CPR, 5%
Maintain required certifications in emergency First Aid, CPR techniques, Automated External Defibrillator, and emergency equipment.
- Site Supervision, 5%
Provided site supervision and field engineering on a diverse range of commercial construction, demolition and new commercial/industrial building projects.
"customer service," "safety procedures," and "incident reports" are among the most common skills that site supervisors use at work. You can find even more site supervisor responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a site supervisor to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what site supervisors do because "construction managers must be able to plan strategies, investigate project cost variances, and solve problems over the course of a project." Additionally, a site supervisor resume shows how site supervisors use analytical skills: "analyze and evaluate security operations to identify risks or opportunities for improvement. "
Business skills. Many site supervisor duties rely on business skills. "construction managers need to prepare and follow project budgets, hire and manage staff, and coordinate with other workers and managers," so a site supervisor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways site supervisor responsibilities rely on business skills: "performed all hr business/employee requirements: recruitment selection, orientation/on-boarding, retention, terminations, discipline, performance appraisals and compensation. "
Leadership skills. A big part of what site supervisors do relies on "leadership skills." You can see how essential it is to site supervisor responsibilities because "construction managers must effectively delegate tasks to construction workers, subcontractors, and other lower level managers to ensure that projects are completed accurately and on time." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical site supervisor tasks: "provide leadership and collaborates with management in the implementation of company security policies, standards and training requirements. "
Technical skills. Another skill commonly found on site supervisor job descriptions is "technical skills." It can come up quite often in site supervisor duties, since "construction managers must have an applied knowledge of concepts and practices common in the industry, such as construction technologies, contracts, and technical drawings." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day site supervisor responsibilities: "led an eight member team in communications, information systems, personnel, physical and technical security operations. "
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Site supervisor vs. Leadman
A contractor assistant is responsible for overseeing construction operations under the supervision of the general contractor, from the initial designs to the final touches, ensuring that the final output meets the client's specifications, requirements, and budget goals. Contractor assistants evaluate the costs and expenses and monitor the financial transactions for the project. They also coordinate with the client for updates and other adjustments as needed without compromising the project deliverables. Additionally, a contractor assistant may perform administrative and clerical duties on top of site visits, depending on the general contractor's needs.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a site supervisor are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "incident reports," "hr," and "site supervision." On the other hand, a job as a leadman requires skills like "hand tools," "osha," "work ethic," and "safety rules." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Leadmen tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $40,107. In contrast, site supervisors make the biggest average salary, $54,313, in the technology industry.leadmen tend to reach lower levels of education than site supervisors. In fact, leadmen are 5.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Site supervisor vs. Contractor assistant
A construction foreman is responsible for overseeing construction operations and determining the construction progress by monitoring plans and schedules. A construction foreman allocates tasks to the workers and ensures that everyone adheres to the safety guidelines and regulations, preventing potential hazards in the work area and avoiding construction delays. They also identify cost-reduction opportunities by handling negotiation with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. A construction foreman inspects the quality of materials, including the equipment and machinery, allocates adequate resources for production, and resolves issues immediately.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that site supervisor responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "safety procedures," "incident reports," and "cpr." But a contractor assistant might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "drywall installation," "purchase orders," "administrative tasks," and "contract terms."
Contractor assistants may earn a lower salary than site supervisors, but contractor assistants earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $44,460. On the other hand, site supervisors receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $54,313.In general, contractor assistants achieve similar levels of education than site supervisors. They're 2.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Site supervisor vs. Construction foreman
An electrical foreman is an individual who is responsible for supervising power linesmen and electricians in the installation, repair, and maintenance of electrical power lines or electrical systems. Electrical foremen conduct periodic inspections at a construction site to ensure that materials and supplies are available. They must enforce safety regulations, rules, and working conditions among the employees due to their hazardous work setting. They also supervise the operation of an electrical repair shop and train personnel in the safe operation of equipment and tools.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a site supervisor is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "incident reports," "hr," and "site supervision," while a typical construction foreman is skilled in "work ethic," "cdl," "osha," and "strong work ethic."
Construction foremen earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $62,811. Site supervisors earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $54,313.construction foremen typically earn similar educational levels compared to site supervisors. Specifically, they're 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Site supervisor vs. Electrical foreman
Even though a few skill sets overlap between site supervisors and electrical foremen, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a site supervisor might have more use for skills like "customer service," "incident reports," "hr," and "cpr." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of electrical foremen require skills like "nec," "osha," "electrical systems," and "work ethic. "
In general, electrical foremen earn the most working in the construction industry, with an average salary of $57,314. The highest-paying industry for a site supervisor is the technology industry.In general, electrical foremen hold similar degree levels compared to site supervisors. Electrical foremen are 2.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of site supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025