Now more than ever, the construction industry is an exciting place to work. Commercial construction jobs have a nearly unlimited growth possibility for those who are willing to do the work to achieve career success. Many professionals earn over six-figures by working for a construction firm. Positions as Superintendent I and II require certain skills experience, and their salaries vary depending on the geographic location. Below is a closer look at some of the factors that contribute to construction Superintendent salary ranges and how firms can remain competitive. Included are construction Superintendent salaries in different regions across the United States.
Superintendents work on site and require a certain range of skills including:
- Operational management
- Time Management
- Mathematics, budgeting, and estimating
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Efficiency and productivity
- Strong leadership
Some responsibilities include:
- General management – They manage people and processes to ensure that the project is completed on time and on budget.
- Organizational and operational control – Construction Superintendents control the overall operation of the construction site which is a critical need.
- Maintaining order – Safety is essential in construction, and Superintendents maintain the standard on job sites.
- Delegate responsibility – Performance management and task assignment are essential to the success of construction projects.
While salary is not the singular factor determining whether a construction professional accepts a position, it is a top contributing factor. As they plan their career path, workers tend to have a salary in mind. To reach a desired salary, many candidates are willing to relocate to another region. It’s also critical to stay updated on construction salary ranges across the country and the salary that candidates are seeking.
Construction Superintendent Salaries (Superintendent I)
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $93.75 | $120.17 | $108.45 | $106.81 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $92.83 | $125.62 | $110.20 | $106.09 |
| Northeast | $104.03 | $145.87 | $126.24 | $125.72 |
| Northwest | $101.16 | $127.16 | $115.65 | $112.57 |
| Southeast | $88.41 | $114.01 | $103.01 | $101.77 |
| Southwest | $89.02 | $113.70 | $101.36 | $101.67 |
*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.
Construction Superintendent Salaries (Superintendent II)
| Region | 20th Percentile | 80th Percentile | Mean | Median |
| Midwest | $107.32 | $141.25 | $126.03 | $127.47 |
| Mid-Atlantic | $107.53 | $147.62 | $128.09 | $127.78 |
| Northeast | $114.42 | $172.19 | $144.43 | $141.45 |
| Northwest | $85.74 | $144.13 | $118.94 | $102.90 |
| Southeast | $111.02 | $147.21 | $132.30 | $128.60 |
| Southwest | $93.55 | $126.14 | $110.82 | $126.14 |
*salaries do not reflect bonuses
**Percentile multiplied by $1000 reflects annual salary
Superintendent II is typically responsible for projects in the range of $10 to $100 million. Most have between 10 to 15 years’ combined experience working their way up the ranks as a Junior Assistant. The job description is similar to Superintendent I, but with a larger budget and staffing levels that require superior time management skills, leadership effectiveness, and attention to detail.
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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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