Construction Superintendent Recruitment
The Superintendent is the hardest role to fill in construction — and the most consequential. Experienced supers with a proven safety record and strong subcontractor relationships are in critically short supply across every market we serve.
Quick Answer
Construction Superintendents earn $75,000–$160,000+ in 2026, with the range widening sharply by project type and market. Typical experience: 5–15+ years in the field with OSHA 30, clean safety record, and proven subcontractor relationships. Specialty premiums: data center mission-critical +20%, healthcare ICRA +15–20%, hurricane-code coastal (FL/Gulf) +10–15%, podium/Type III-A multifamily +10–15%. Supers run daily field operations: schedule, safety, quality, subs, inspections, TCO/CO delivery. This is the hardest multifamily, healthcare, and commercial role to fill nationally, and counteroffers of 8–15% are common when a good Super resigns.
Salary Range
$85K–$195K
Depending on state & seniority
Time to Fill
45–60 Days
Longest fill time of any role
Demand Level
Critical
Highest demand role in construction
Required Cert
OSHA 30
OSHA 500 strongly preferred
What a Construction Super Does Daily
The Superintendent owns the field. Every day starts with a look-ahead schedule review and a morning crew huddle. From there, it's subcontractor coordination meetings, quality inspections, safety walks, RFI and submittal reviews in coordination with the PM, and resolving the constant stream of field issues that arise on active construction sites.
Great supers are masters of sequencing — understanding how trades interact, where float exists in the schedule, and how to keep multiple subcontractors productive simultaneously. They read drawings deeply, catch constructability issues before they become field problems, and maintain the respect of crews that makes execution possible.
On larger projects ($50M+), superintendents may have one or more assistant supers reporting to them. At the senior level, they interface directly with owners and architects and are often involved in preconstruction planning and phasing strategy.
Required Qualifications & Certifications
- 8+ years of construction field experience, with 5+ as superintendent
- Multi-story or large-footprint project experience required
- OSHA 30 certification required; OSHA 500 strongly preferred
- Demonstrated safety record — EMR and incident history reviewed
- Strong subcontractor management and crew leadership skills
- Proficiency in scheduling software (P6, MS Project, or Procore Schedule)
- Quality control program management experience
- Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
Superintendent Salary by State
Supers command a premium in high-cost states — and the shortage keeps wages rising nationally
| State | Avg. Salary | Typical Range | vs. TX Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (CA) | $155K | $120K – $195K | +24% |
| New York (NY) | $150K | $115K – $190K | +20% |
| Texas (TX) | $125K | $95K – $170K | Base |
| Arizona (AZ) | $122K | $95K – $165K | -2% |
| Georgia (GA) | $118K | $90K – $160K | -6% |
| North Carolina (NC) | $115K | $88K – $155K | -8% |
| Florida (FL) | $115K | $90K – $160K | -8% |
Which Sectors Need Supers Most
Sector experience matters — supers with specialized backgrounds command higher comp
Commercial
Very HighCore sector — ground-up and TI supers both in demand
Data Center
CriticalMission-critical experience commands 15–25% premium
Industrial
CriticalSemiconductor and manufacturing build-outs driving surge
Healthcare
HighOccupied facility and ICRA experience essential
Infrastructure
HighCivil super background distinct from vertical — separate pool
Multifamily
SteadyHigh unit counts, repetitive cycles, Sun Belt growth
Career Progression Path
Foreman → Asst. Super → Superintendent → Senior Super → General Super
Foreman
0–5 yrs
$55K–$80K
Direct crew supervision, trade-specific expertise, safety compliance
Assistant Superintendent
5–8 yrs
$80K–$105K
Supports super on scheduling, sub coordination, quality tracking
Superintendent
8–15 yrs
$95K–$155K
Full field ownership: schedule, safety, quality, sub management
Senior Superintendent
15–20 yrs
$140K–$175K
Large or complex projects, mentors supers, owner interface
General Superintendent
20+ yrs
$170K–$250K+
Multiple project oversight, operations leadership, company standards
Need a Construction Superintendent?
Superintendents are the hardest role to fill — and the most important. We maintain a curated network of experienced supers with verified OSHA certifications and safety records. Most searches close in 45–60 days.