One of the exciting things about our industry is the ongoing growth potential. You may start out as an entry level laborer, and with on-the-job experience top out at over 6 figures. What is even more exciting, is that if you have what it takes, you can get there quite rapidly. While the potential for growth is there you will notice that construction jobs and their annual salary vary greatly. Below is a closer look at why superintendent construction salaries vary and how your firm can remain competitive.
Why Construction Salaries Vary
Everything from the job description to the title for each firm’s job openings can vary greatly. The precise title of the job has little to do with the salary, which is most often directly related to factors such as:
- Geographic location
- Local economy and/or local real estate market
- Size, scale, budget, and complexity of project
- Residential vs. non-residential location
- Job responsibilities, number of projects being managed
- Tenure, experience, and track record of success
- Competitor salaries
Construction Salary Is Not The Only Determining Factor, But It Is A Major Contributor
As trade school and university students, or gainfully employed skilled laborers map out their career path—they have a desired salary in mind. While salary is not the only determining factor in applying for or accepting construction jobs, it remains a major contributing factor.
To achieve a desired salary, many entry level and executive candidates are willing to relocate. While relocation for work in our industry was previously reserved more for temporary assignments, it is more common now than ever. To remain competitive construction firms must consider how to make relocation more attractive. Also, to realize the salary their applicants may be chasing.
Some Examples Of How Superintendent Construction Salaries Can Vary Greatly
Your talent acquisition team must keep a close eye out for the variances from one region to the next, as well as the salary range their local competitors are offering. With the current shortage of skilled labor, providing competitive salaries will continue to be an effective method of enticing gainfully employed and satisfied executives to jump ship. Here are just a few examples of the some of the junior level management and superintendent construction salaries:
Keep your eye out for senior level superintendent construction salary data in next week’s blog post!
General Foreman
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $67.0 | $87.4 | $80.0 | $82.0 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $67.9 | $84.7 | $75.3 | $76.2 |
| Northwest | $77.2 | $90.5 | $85.5 | $79.2 |
| Southeast | $53.8 | $73.1 | $64.1 | $64.6 |
| Southwest | $55.6 | $73.5 | $69.7 | $63.6 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
Assistant Superintendent
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $72.7 | $93.2 | $85.2 | $81.7 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $66.6 | $90.2 | $79.9 | $78.0 |
| Northeast | $71.8 | $98.8 | $89.3 | $84.3 |
| Northwest | $80.5 | $102.4 | $91.7 | $91.8 |
| Southeast | $66.9 | $84.2 | $76.9 | $76.0 |
| Southwest | $70.7 | $87.5 | $80.8 | $80.8 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
Superintendent I
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $89.2 | $114.4 | $103.2 | $101.7 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $88.3 | $119.6 | $104.9 | $101.0 |
| Northeast | $99.0 | $138.8 | $120.1 | $119.7 |
| Northwest | $96.3 | $124.0 | $110.1 | $107.12 |
| Southeast | $84.1 | $108.5 | $98.0 | $96.9 |
| Southwest | $84.7 | $108.2 | $96.5 | $96.8 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
The construction salary data generated above was compiled from multiple industry and salary sources, and real-time data compiled by The Birmingham Group. As one of the Leading Recruiters in the nation, construction executive search firms—The Birmingham Group interviews over 300 construction professionals each week.
Are Your Construction Salaries Competitive? Get Our Construction Salary Survey.
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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