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The differences between superintendents and project superintendents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a superintendent, becoming a project superintendent takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a project superintendent has an average salary of $97,517, which is higher than the $82,458 average annual salary of a superintendent.
The top three skills for a superintendent include OSHA, quality standards and construction management. The most important skills for a project superintendent are OSHA, construction management, and general contractors.
| Superintendent | Project Superintendent | |
| Yearly salary | $82,458 | $97,517 |
| Hourly rate | $39.64 | $46.88 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 22,580 | 71,449 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 8 |
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.
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.
Superintendents and project superintendents have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Superintendent | Project Superintendent | |
| Average salary | $82,458 | $97,517 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $119,000 | Between $71,000 And $133,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Hartford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | The Weitz Company |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a superintendent and a project superintendent in terms of educational background:
| Superintendent | Project Superintendent | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | Bachelor's Degree, 50% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between superintendents' and project superintendents' demographics:
| Superintendent | Project Superintendent | |
| Average age | 47 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.3% Female, 6.7% | Male, 97.3% Female, 2.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 16% | 4% |