Construction superintendents are highly in demand in the United States. In fact, demand is predicted to grow by as much as 10% from 2018 to 2028 according to the the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This demand is reflected in Construction Superintendent and Construction Assistant Superintendent Salary numbers, which are some of the highest in the construction industry.
The high demand for construction superintendents is no surprise. This is a critical role in the construction industry, and requires great leadership, management, and experience. Here are some other helpful skills for the superintendent role:
- Possess the ability to manage multiple projects at one time,
- Understand a variety of construction standards, methods, and procedures,
- Have exceptional communication and organizational skills,
- Able to work in a fast paced, time sensitive, team environment.
Some responsibilities include:
- Planning – The planning, scheduling, implementation & coordination of quality construction from development through final product on time & on budget
- Management – Selection, coordination, oversight & management of people, materials, budgets, schedules & contracts.
- Tracking – Track & control construction costs against the budget in order to avoid cost overruns
- Subcontractor Relationships – Schedule and manage subcontractors and sub-contractor relationships in order to build construction on schedule and on time.
- Maintaining order and safety – Safety rules and guidelines have to be top of mind for superintendents.
While salary is not the only reason someone accepts a construction job, it remains a major contributing factor. Top construction superintendents often have a desired salary in mind. To achieve their desired salary goals, many candidates are willing to relocate. To remain competitive construction firms must consider how to make relocation more attractive. It’s also critical to be informed about salaries across the country and the salary that candidates are looking to achieve.
Construction superintendent salaries vary depending on the geographic location and other factors. Below is a closer look at construction superintendent salary ranges and how firms can remain competitive.
Assistant Superintendent Salary Ranges
(Assistant Superintendent)
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $83.54 | $107.15 | $97.94 | $93.88 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $76.58 | $103.67 | $91.87 | $89.61 |
| Northeast | $82.53 | $113.57 | $102.66 | $96.92 |
| Northwest | $92.54 | $117.72 | $110.97 | $105.47 |
| Southeast | $76.92 | $96.81 | $88.37 | $87.37 |
| Southwest | $81.29 | $100.52 | $92.88 | $92.88 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
**Percentile multiplied by $1000 reflects annual salary
Assistant Superintendent is typically responsible for projects in the range of $5 to $15 million. Most have between 3 to 5 years’ experience as a General Foreman or Superintendent Assistant. Superintendents must possess strong communication and leadership skills, as well as extensive technical knowledge. They manage multiple duties, including supervising laborers, scheduling and organizing the project to ensure it is both time and cost-effective, labor budgeting, quality control, and more. Works directly with the General Forman and their team to achieve effective and efficient project and staff management.
Construction Superintendent Salary Ranges
(Superintendent I/General Superintendent)
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $146.18 | $175.99 | $160.47 | $160.68 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $147.11 | $188.23 | $167.77 | $168.80 |
| Northeast | $142.69 | $218.55 | $184.42 | $188.64 |
| Northwest | $139.91 | $201.59 | $182.37 | $187.71 |
| Southeast | $139.50 | $199.95 | $168.80 | $170.55 |
| Southwest | $140.42 | $197.07 | $166.64 | $168.49 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
**Percentile multiplied by $1000 reflects annual salary
Superintendent I is typically responsible for projects in the range of $5 to $49 million. Most have between 5 to 10 years’ combined experience as a Junior Superintendent and/or Foreman. Responsible for managing Junior Assistants, Foreman, and a variety of laborers. Leads junior team, scheduling and organizing the project to ensure it is both time and cost-effective. Also drives quality control to ensure the project conforms with specifications, and more.
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This is an exciting time in the world of construction. With this rapid turnaround over the past few years, many construction general contractors are being forced to reevaluate their construction salaries to stay competitive. We have compiled data from 4600+ individual construction management interviews performed by our staff.
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