General Foreman & Superintendent Salaries (2025) – Complete Pay Guide
How much does a general foreman make in 2025? And how do superintendent salaries compare? This updated guide combines BLS data, industry benchmarks, and recruiter insights from The Birmingham Group to deliver a clear, factual picture of foreman and superintendent pay across the United States.
For full pay data across all management roles, visit our 2025–2026 Construction Salary Guide.
According to official BLS wage data, the national mean salary for first-line supervisors of construction trades (closest category to General Foreman) is $81,340, with a median of $76,760. Industry benchmarks show actual ranges of $77,000–$90,000 nationwide, with pay climbing higher in metro markets and heavy civil projects.
2025 Construction Pay Snapshot (Quick View)
| 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.
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 that average hourly earnings for all construction workers reached $37.23 in July 2025 (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 career progression, see Assistant Superintendent salaries and skills or visit the Construction Careers 2025 guide.
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 or download our Construction Salary Survey for recruiter-verified data.
Why Pay Is Rising in 2025
- Wage growth: Average hourly construction earnings rose to $37.23 in July 2025 (BLS).
- 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 2025 economics).
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 promotion paths and salary growth, visit our Construction Careers 2025 insight.
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 = higher pay.
- Travel & shift work: Nights, outages, and rotations often include premiums.
- Credentials: Start with OSHA 30, then pursue PMP, CHST, or CCM.
- Software: Procore, P6, and MS Project knowledge speed the move to superintendent pay.
How to Reach the Next Pay Band
- Stack credentials: OSHA 30, 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 (2025)
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. See Assistant Superintendent salaries and skills for details.
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 30 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.
- Download the Construction Salary Survey
- Browse current job openings
- Submit your resume for confidential review
- Contact a Hiring Manager advisor
Explore our full Construction Salary Guide for more roles and compensation insights.
