In a recent post, we shared construction salary ranges for senior level superintendents, and this week, we will look at some of the more senior management positions such as Project Engineers, Assistant Project Managers, and Project Field Engineers. Our goal is to help hiring managers across the nation maintain competitive construction superintendent salaries—and help job seekers to determine the salary range they should be looking to achieve.
Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager
Project Engineer / Assistant Project Manager is typically responsible for projects in the range of $5 to $15 million. Most have a minimum of 3 years’ experience. They often work as the lowest level of the project management team, and are responsible for the overall direction, supervision, and daily operations of the project. They are often the touchpoint between multiple parties, including subcontractors, owners, unions, and other key members of the construction team.
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $65.8 | $91.7 | $83.6 | $82.6 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $71.8 | $101.6 | $90.3 | $86.9 |
| Northeast | $71.1 | $112.9 | $96.9 | $94.0 |
| Northwest | $76.1 | $101.8 | $94.9 | $91.8 |
| Southeast | $69.0 | $92.6 | $84.5 | $82.4 |
| Southwest | $71.1 | $93.6 | $86.1 | $85.7 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
Junior Project Field Engineer
Junior Project Field Engineer is an entry level position that requires either a BS or a MS. Works as the assistant to the Cost Engineer, performing basic field and cost engineering.
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $56.4 | $66.6 | $61.6 | $62.2 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $55.4 | $65.8 | $61.3 | $61.2 |
| Northeast | $57.4 | $67.6 | $63.6 | $62.8 |
| Northwest | $58.9 | $68.6 | $64.4 | $62.1 |
| Southeast | $56.4 | $65.5 | $61.2 | $60.0 |
| Southwest | $55.3 | $66.2 | $61.1 | $60.6 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
Project Field Engineer I
Project Field Engineer I typically requires 2 years’ experience as a Junior Project Field Engineer. Works as an assistant to Senior Cost Engineers, assisting in expediting material deliveries, estimating and processing change orders, preparing monthly pay requests and preparing shop drawings.
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $61.3 | $73.2 | $68.7 | $68.1 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $60.2 | $75.9 | $69.7 | $69.7 |
| Northeast | $63.3 | $78.7 | $73.2 | $71.3 |
| Northwest | $64.0 | $75.9 | $71.0 | $69.3 |
| Southeast | $61.6 | $72.8 | $67.7 | $67.6 |
| Southwest | $64.3 | $74.9 | $70.1 | $70.3 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
Project Field Engineer II
Project Field Engineer II typically requires 4 years’ experience as a Junior Project Field Engineer. Job responsibilities are somewhat similar to Project Field Engineer I, but operates as the right-hand of the Senor Project Engineer. Works with an increased level of independence and responsibility.
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $69.1 | $83.1 | $77.8 | $76.4 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $73.1 | $88.4 | $81.5 | $80.6 |
| Northeast | $73.6 | $95.7 | $87.8 | $84.9 |
| Northwest | $66.7 | $85.9 | $77.1 | $77.2 |
| Southeast | $67.3 | $85.0 | $76.6 | $75.2 |
| Southwest | $61.7 | $80.6 | $71.5 | $70.0 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
Senior Project Engineer
Senior Project Engineer typically requires 7 years’ experience as a Junior Project Field Engineer. Responsible for managing all Junior Field Engineers. Responsible for technical direction, estimating, cost control, forecasting, risk analysis, investment appraisal, and coordination of the engineering process with construction management.
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $80.9 | $113.5 | $99.3 | $93.8 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $84.2 | $116.1 | $101.9 | $99.6 |
| Northeast | $97.0 | $143.1 | $121.9 | $118.2 |
| Northwest | $74.5 | $106.9 | $94.9 | $90.0 |
| Southeast | $83.6 | $116.5 | $103.2 | $98.9 |
| Southwest | $68.5 | $96.2 | $85.1 | $80.0 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
The construction salary data generated above is compiled from multiple industry and salary sources, coupled with real-time data compiled by The Birmingham Group. As one of the Leading Recruiters in the nation, construction executive search firm, The Birmingham Group, interviews over 300 construction professionals each week.
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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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