Construction Foreman Salary 2026 ($73K–$115K)
Construction foremen supervise jobsite crews and coordinate daily field operations. In the United States, most foremen earn between $73,000 and $104,000 per year, while general foremen managing multiple trades typically earn $83,000–$115,000 depending on project scope and region.
These roles sit at the center of construction execution, responsible for coordinating crews, enforcing safety standards, and keeping production on schedule across commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
This guide explains what construction foremen and general foremen are actually paid in 2026. It combines verified wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, recruiter-validated benchmarks from The Birmingham Group, and current market offers across commercial, industrial, and heavy civil projects.
For broader leadership compensation context across the industry, reference the Construction Salary Guide used by contractors nationwide.
According to official BLS data, the national mean salary for first-line supervisors of construction trades (the closest federal category to General Foreman) is $81,340, with a median of $76,760. Recruiter benchmarks confirm real-world offers typically range from $77,000–$90,000, with higher compensation common on large commercial builds, union environments, and complex project scopes.
Ranges reflect late-2025 BLS data with early-2026 market validation from active contractor offers.
2026 Construction Pay Snapshot (Quick View)
Foreman vs General Foreman vs Superintendent Pay
| Role | Typical Range (Base) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foreman (single crew) | $35–$50/hr ($73,000–$104,000 annually) | Industry benchmarks, validated with BLS supervisor category |
| General Foreman (multi-trade) | $40–$55/hr ($83,000–$115,000 annually) | BLS 47-1011 + recruiter data |
| Assistant Superintendent | $70,000–$95,000 base | Industry benchmarks; aligned with BLS 11-9021 (Construction Managers) |
| Superintendent | $95,000–$135,000+ | Industry benchmarks; recruitment data |
| Senior / Area Superintendent | $120,000–$165,000+ | Recruiter benchmarks |
Note: Federal statistics cover supervisors and managers broadly. The Birmingham Group benchmarks refine those numbers to reflect current market offers.
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National Averages (Official BLS Data)
From the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) for May 2023:
- National Mean (First-line Supervisors): $81,340
- Median: $76,760
The BLS Employment Situation also shows average hourly earnings for construction workers in the high-$30s in mid-2025, reflected in FRED CES2000000003.
Role-by-Role Salary Bands (Industry Benchmarks)
| Role | Salary Range (Base) | What Pushes Pay Higher |
|---|---|---|
| Foreman | $73k–$104k | Industrial/heavy civil jobs, safety streaks, shutdown work |
| General Foreman | $83k–$115k | Multi-trade coordination, complex phasing, night shifts |
| Assistant Superintendent | $70k–$95k | Ground-up builds, scheduling, owner-facing work |
| Superintendent | $95k–$135k | Large GMP projects, fast-track builds, mission-critical sites |
| Senior/Area Superintendent | $120k–$165k+ | Overseeing multiple projects, high-risk scopes |
For additional context on role expectations, see Assistant Superintendent salaries and skills.
Regional Salary Comparisons (Benchmarks)
BLS provides official state-level data, but contractors and recruiters report real offers that vary regionally. Here’s a benchmark snapshot:
General Foreman Salary Ranges by Region
| Region | Range |
|---|---|
| Midwest | $70k–$92k |
| Mid-Atlantic | $71k–$89k |
| Northwest | $81k–$95k |
| Southeast | $56k–$77k |
| Southwest | $58k–$77k |
Foreman vs General Foreman vs Superintendent by Region
| Region | Foreman | General Foreman | Superintendent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midwest | $70k–$100k | $80k–$110k | $95k–$130k |
| Northwest | $80k–$110k | $90k–$120k | $105k–$145k |
| Southeast | $65k–$95k | $75k–$105k | $90k–$125k |
| Southwest | $68k–$98k | $80k–$110k | $95k–$130k |
For official verification, visit the BLS OES wage maps.
Why Pay Is Rising in 2026
- Wage growth: Average hourly construction earnings remained elevated through mid-2025, reflected in federal earnings data.
- Infrastructure spending: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act continues to fuel project pipelines.
- Project complexity: Data centers, hospitals, and industrial builds demand seasoned field leadership (ENR economics coverage).
Responsibilities & Career Path
Foreman: Leads one trade/crew, tracks quality and safety, reports to General Foreman or Superintendent.
General Foreman: Oversees multiple crews, plans manpower, manages sequencing, enforces safety and quality.
Assistant Superintendent: Supports daily site operations on large projects; assists with scheduling, RFIs, inspections.
Superintendent: Owns site execution, sets the schedule, enforces quality, and partners with PMs for cost and client updates.
- Build and adjust look-ahead schedules
- Coordinate trades, inspections, and deliveries
- Lead safety efforts (toolbox talks, audits, permits)
- Check progress against drawings and specifications
- Track production and report progress
To explore longer-term growth and salary progression, visit the construction careers guide.
What Moves Pay Up (or Down)
- Market: High-cost metros and union-heavy markets pay more; rural areas may pay less but steadier.
- Project type: Heavy civil, healthcare, and industrial jobs pay more than light commercial.
- Crew size & scope: More trades and larger sites mean higher pay.
- Travel & shift work: Nights, outages, and rotations often include premiums.
- Credentials: Start with OSHA training, then pursue PMP, CHST, or CCM.
- Software: Procore, P6, and MS Project knowledge speeds the move to superintendent pay.
How to Reach the Next Pay Band
- Stack credentials: OSHA training, CHST, PMP, and equipment cards all help.
- Show measurable results: Document safety streaks, days recovered, or VE wins, and add them to your construction resume.
- Target higher-value projects: Data centers, hospitals, and large civil jobs generally pay more.
- Be mobile: Travel and night work often accelerate promotions.
- Work with a recruiter: See current job openings or submit your resume for confidential consideration.
FAQs: General Foreman & Superintendent Salaries (2026)
Are construction foremen paid hourly or salary?
BLS data shows most foremen are hourly. Industry reports confirm many earn overtime and per diem; some General Foremen are salaried depending on employer and scope.
How much do Assistant Superintendents earn?
Industry benchmarks place pay at $70,000–$95,000. With OT and per diem, totals often exceed six figures.
Which regions pay more?
Northwest and Northeast lead. Southeast and Southwest are lower on paper but may offer steadier year-round work. For state-level verification, check the BLS OES maps.
What’s the national average salary for a General Foreman?
According to BLS, the national mean is $81,340 and the median is $76,760. Industry benchmarks confirm real-world offers between $77,000–$90,000, with higher ranges in metro markets.
What’s the fastest path to Superintendent pay?
Lead larger scopes, document measurable results, master scheduling tools, and pursue credentials like OSHA training or PMP.
Ready to Hire or Move Up?
The Birmingham Group has decades of experience placing construction leaders. Whether you’re aiming for your first General Foreman role or stepping into a Superintendent position, we can connect you with opportunities nationwide.
