General Foreman Salary 2026: $71K to $119K Pay

General Foreman Salary 2026 ($71K to $119K)

General foremen supervise multiple crews and coordinate daily field operations. In the TBG 2026 Construction Salary Survey, general foreman base pay runs $70,560 to $118,670 (20th to 80th percentile), with regional medians from $83,400 in the Southwest to $107,510 in the Midwest. Single-crew foremen are not broken out in the survey and typically earn less.

These roles sit at the center of construction execution, responsible for coordinating crews, enforcing safety standards, and keeping production on schedule across commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.

This guide explains what construction foremen and general foremen are actually paid in 2026. It combines verified wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, recruiter-validated benchmarks from The Birmingham Group, and current market offers across commercial, industrial, and heavy civil projects.

For broader leadership compensation context across the industry, reference the Construction Salary Guide used by contractors nationwide.

According to official BLS data, the national mean salary for first-line supervisors of construction trades (the closest federal category to General Foreman) is $86,450, with a median of $79,920 (May 2025). That federal category mixes single-crew foremen with general foremen, which is why it runs below the survey figures for general foremen.

General foreman, assistant superintendent, and superintendent figures come from the TBG 2026 Construction Salary Survey (base salary, 20th to 80th percentile unless noted). BLS figures are labeled as BLS.

2026 Construction Pay Snapshot (Quick View)

Foreman vs General Foreman vs Superintendent Pay

Note: Federal statistics cover supervisors and managers broadly. The TBG survey breaks pay out by role level and region.

National Averages (Official BLS Data)

From the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) for May 2025:

• National Mean (First-line Supervisors): $86,450
• Median: $79,920

The BLS Employment Situation also shows construction average hourly earnings of $41.69 in September 2026 (preliminary), reflected in FRED CES2000000003.

Role-by-Role Salary Bands (2026 Survey)

For additional context on role expectations, see Assistant Superintendent salaries and skills.

Regional Salary Comparisons (2026 Survey)

Here is general foreman base pay by region from the TBG 2026 Construction Salary Survey, 20th to 80th percentile. The survey does not report a Northeast figure for this role.

General Foreman Salary Ranges by Region

General Foreman vs Assistant Superintendent vs Superintendent I Pay by Region (Medians)

Median base salary from the TBG 2026 Construction Salary Survey.
For official verification, visit the BLS OES wage maps.

On an hourly basis, the survey range works out to about $34 to $57 per hour for general foremen and about $42 to $64 per hour for assistant superintendents, before overtime and per diem. The assistant superintendent salary guide covers the next step up.

Why Pay Is Rising in 2026

• Wage growth: Average hourly construction earnings remained elevated through mid-2025, reflected in federal earnings data.
• 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 economics coverage).

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 longer-term growth and salary progression, visit the construction careers guide.

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 mean higher pay.
• Travel & shift work: Nights, outages, and rotations often include premiums.
• Credentials: Start with OSHA training, then pursue PMP, CHST, or CCM.
• Software: Procore, P6, and MS Project knowledge speeds the move to superintendent pay.

How to Reach the Next Pay Band

1. Stack credentials: OSHA training, CHST, PMP, and equipment cards all help.
2. Show measurable results: Document safety streaks, days recovered, or VE wins, and add them to your construction resume.
3. Target higher-value projects: Data centers, hospitals, and large civil jobs generally pay more.
4. Be mobile: Travel and night work often accelerate promotions.
5. Work with a recruiter: See current job openings or submit your resume for confidential consideration.

Contractors building out field leadership use our construction recruiting services to benchmark pay and fill foreman-to-superintendent seats.

What a General Foreman Actually Does

A general foreman runs the day to day on site. They coordinate multiple crews against the schedule and the priorities set by the superintendent, assign daily tasks, and keep the job on schedule and on budget. On most projects they also plan manpower and materials, making sure enough workers and the right equipment are on site when each phase starts.

The role carries the safety and quality load too. General foremen supervise equipment and machinery, enforce OSHA and site safety standards, check work against the drawings, and resolve field problems before they slow production. They report to construction managers, superintendents, and engineers, and they coordinate with suppliers and clients when the work calls for it.

Titles vary by sector. You will see operations, public works, pipeline, civil, and electrical general foremen, each running the same core job inside a different trade.

General Foreman Skills and Requirements

This is a hands on leadership role, so it rewards field experience over a degree. Most general foremen hold a high school diploma or a trade certification as a carpenter, electrician, or another skilled trade, plus years on the tools before moving up. The skills that matter most on the job:

• Reading blueprints, plans, and specifications
• Working knowledge of hydraulic and electrical systems
• Scheduling, manpower planning, and work sequencing
• OSHA and jobsite safety compliance
• Leadership, problem solving, and jobsite math

Strong general foremen are the bench that project superintendents get promoted from, which is why the pay bands above climb quickly for people who can run multi trade work cleanly.

FAQs: General Foreman & Superintendent Salaries (2026)

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?

The TBG 2026 Construction Salary Survey puts assistant superintendent base pay at $87,000 to $134,000. With OT and per diem, totals often exceed six figures.

Which regions pay more?

In the survey, the Midwest and Northwest pay general foremen the most, with medians of $107,510 and $103,800. The Southeast and Southwest run lowest, at $84,670 and $83,400, 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?

The TBG 2026 Construction Salary Survey puts general foreman base pay at $70,560 to $118,670, with regional medians from $83,400 to $107,510. The broader BLS category for first-line construction supervisors shows a $86,450 mean and a $79,920 median (May 2025).

What’s the fastest path to Superintendent pay?

Lead larger scopes, document measurable results, master scheduling tools, and pursue credentials like OSHA training or PMP.