How Much Do Site Supervisors Make?

How Much Do Site Supervisors Make?

The questions about site supervisor salaries just keep coming and for good reason. It’s one of the most common topics in construction career growth. In this blog, we’ll break down the average pay, sector differences, certification impact, and overtime opportunities for site supervisors across the U.S.

Why We Share These Insights

At Elevate Construction, Lean Built, and Lean Takt, our mission is simple, to fill the gaps the industry often leaves behind. Whether it’s templates, books, or training, we aim to support construction professionals with practical knowledge and tools to advance their careers.

Average Site Supervisor Salary in the U.S.

If you’re a lead person or foreman, you can expect to earn around $22–$35 per hour, depending on your region and experience. On the coasts, this can even double due to higher living costs and project demand.

For assistant superintendents, salaries range from $75,000–$105,000 per year, while superintendents typically make $85,000–$145,000 annually again, higher in coastal cities.

How Pay Differs Across Sectors

• Commercial construction: Standard pay range (as mentioned above).
• Civil construction: Roughly the same range as commercial.
• Residential construction: Around 80–90% of commercial pay.
• Maintenance: Typically, 70–90% of commercial rates.

Specialized industries such as oil and gas, mining, and heavy industrial can dramatically increase earnings. Some professionals in these fields make $250,000–$450,000+ per year due to the technical difficulty, remote locations, and high-risk conditions.

Do Certifications Boost Pay?

Yes, certifications both open doors and raise salaries. They help you get hired faster, but it’s the implementation of what you learn that truly drives your income upward.

Roles with the Most Overtime and Bonuses

If you’re hourly, you’ll typically get more overtime pay, especially in mission-critical or fast-paced projects like:

• Data centers.
• Semiconductor facilities.
• Oil and gas projects.
• Mining operations.

These jobs pay well because of their tight timelines, technical demands, and challenging environments.

For salaried positions, you’ll benefit from higher bonus structures instead of overtime, often tied to project performance and leadership responsibilities.

Hourly vs. Salary – Which Is Smarter?

It depends on your goals.

• If you enjoy hands-on fieldwork and want to stay in a specialized trade, hourly pay can be more lucrative in the short term.
• If you’re aiming to advance into higher leadership roles like superintendent, project manager, or beyond transitioning to salary is the smarter long-term move.

Final Thoughts

Site supervisors play a key role in every successful project, and their pay reflects the level of responsibility they carry. Whether you’re hourly or salaried, the best way to increase your earning potential is to keep learning, gain certifications, and expand your leadership skills.