Superintendent

Education and Training: Bachelor’s preferred
Average Salary: $79,000
Job Outlook: Good

A construction superintendent is the person primarily responsible for planning a construction job and ensuring that everything goes as planned. Depending on the organization hiring the superintendent, he or she may be responsible for hiring and training personnel, planning the construction process, communicating with the company’s clients about the project, organizing the project the whole way through, and troubleshooting problems that happen during the construction process.

One of the major components of a superintendent’s job is cost controlling. They are responsible for ensuring that cost targets are met, and they may also help establish the original budget and plan for meeting that budget. Besides this, the superintendent tracks costs to ensure that they are updated frequently, and also controls the schedule of construction so that things go smoothly and according to plan.

Education and Training Requirements

Although some construction superintendents get their jobs based solely on experience – many years of experience in the construction industry – more and more construction companies are requiring that their superintendents have a bachelor’s degree in construction science or a related field. These degrees are becoming more and more widely available, and many who wish to oversee construction projects work in construction while also getting a degree. This is important for future superintendents, since they should have at least four years of experience in the field before beginning their jobs.

Much training for a construction superintendent takes place on the job, and many start out in assistant positions to learn the ropes of the company with which they are working. Since the exact job description and responsibilities of a superintendent may vary from one company to the next, most companies will do on the job training over time.

Getting the Job

Construction superintendents are often promoted from within a construction company after they have worked in the field for a few years. Those with experience and the proper education may also apply to outside companies in order to find a job as a superintendent.

Job Prospects, Employment Outlook and Career Development

Like most construction jobs, the job outlook of a construction superintendent depends largely on the economy. As long as the economy is encouraging new building, though, construction superintendents will be a vital and necessary part of any construction company, which means there will often be jobs available for these people.

Many superintendents go on to be in charge of higher level projects that pay more – for instance, moving from residential to business building. Some also move into higher level roles in their construction companies, become vice presidents of companies, or start their own construction companies if they have the capital available.

Working Conditions and Environment

The job of a construction superintendent can be stressful, since this person is on call all the time throughout a project and is expected to do most of the troubleshooting of potentially difficult problems. The superintendent will often work long hours, particularly when nearing the deadline for a certain project.

While construction superintendents often do some office work, where the office is may vary. Some work from a central location, and others work from an office trailer at the construction site. These jobs often involve travel, as construction superintendents are expected to spend a great deal of time on site at the construction projects they oversee.

Salary and Benefits

The average salary of a construction superintendent is about $79,000 per year, though it can range from about $47,000 to $95,000 per year, depending on the superintendent’s level of experience, the company, and the types of construction projects being overseen. These jobs may also come with bonuses for completing projects on time and at or under budget, though this varies from one company to the next.

This full time job typically comes with health benefits as well as paid time off. Time off, however, may be limited during certain phases of important projects.

Where to Go for More Information

American Council for Construction Education
1717 North Loop 1604 E, Ste. 320
San Antonio, TX 78232
(210) 495-6161
http://www.acce-hq.org

American Institute of Constructors and Constructor Certification Commission
700 N Fairfax St., Ste. 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-4999
http://www.professionalconstroctur.org

Construction Management Association of America
7926 Jones Branch Dr., Ste. 800
McLean, VA 22102
(703) 356-2622
http://www.cmaanet.org