What Does a Site Supervisor Do?
Site supervisors manage daily construction activities on the job site, directing workers and subcontractors to ensure tasks are completed safely and according to plans. They serve as the primary on-site authority responsible for quality, safety, and productivity. This hands-on leadership role bridges the gap between project management and field execution.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Coal Mine Production Foreman, Construction Foreman, Construction Supervisor, Electrical Supervisor, Field Operations Supervisor, Field Supervisor, Insulation Foreman, Roustabout Field Supervisor.
Site Supervisor Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a site supervisor include:
- Direct and coordinate daily work activities of construction crews and subcontractors.
- Read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and schedules to guide work.
- Conduct daily safety meetings and enforce safety rules and PPE requirements on site.
- Inspect work in progress to ensure quality standards and plan compliance.
- Coordinate material deliveries, equipment needs, and manpower requirements.
- Maintain daily logs documenting work completed, weather conditions, and any incidents.
- Communicate with the project manager on progress, issues, and resource needs.
- Schedule and coordinate building inspections with local code officials.
- Resolve field problems and conflicts between trades working on site.
- Ensure site security, cleanliness, and compliance with environmental regulations.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a site supervisor, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Construction trades knowledge
- Blueprint and specification reading
- Safety management and OSHA compliance
- Crew leadership and motivation
- Scheduling and coordination
- Problem-solving in the field
- Documentation and daily reporting
- Communication with multiple stakeholders
Education and Training
A high school diploma with extensive construction field experience is the traditional path to site supervisor positions, though many employers now prefer an associate or bachelor's degree in construction management or a related field. OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification is required by most employers. First aid and CPR certifications are commonly expected. Professional certifications such as the Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) can enhance credentials. Most site supervisors have worked as skilled tradespeople for several years before moving into supervisory roles, giving them the practical knowledge needed to manage construction operations effectively.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $63,400 - $101,460 per year, with a median of $79,920.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers.
BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers to grow about 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 67,000 openings a year. Site supervisors are in consistent demand across residential, commercial, and industrial construction sectors. The construction industry's ongoing labor challenges make experienced supervisory talent particularly valuable. Companies seek supervisors who can maintain productivity while upholding strict safety standards. Technology such as mobile project management apps and digital plan review is becoming standard for site supervisors. Career advancement leads to project superintendent, project manager, or construction manager positions. The hands-on nature of this role provides a strong foundation for broader construction leadership.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers.
Site Supervisor Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $53,280 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $63,400 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $79,920 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $101,460 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $128,260 |
Highest-Paying States for Site Supervisors
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are Washington ($109,570), Illinois ($105,750), New Jersey ($105,510), Oregon ($103,070), Hawaii ($102,630). Pay is lowest in Mississippi ($66,910), Alabama ($64,120), Arkansas ($61,230).
Median pay in all 51 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,120 |
| Alaska | $102,140 |
| Arizona | $78,550 |
| Arkansas | $61,230 |
| California | $97,680 |
| Colorado | $81,230 |
| Connecticut | $92,260 |
| Delaware | $81,100 |
| District of Columbia | $86,520 |
| Florida | $75,790 |
| Georgia | $78,430 |
| Hawaii | $102,630 |
| Idaho | $75,550 |
| Illinois | $105,750 |
| Indiana | $82,530 |
| Iowa | $78,510 |
| Kansas | $76,780 |
| Kentucky | $73,490 |
| Louisiana | $75,360 |
| Maine | $77,290 |
| Maryland | $78,760 |
| Massachusetts | $97,850 |
| Michigan | $78,180 |
| Minnesota | $97,610 |
| Mississippi | $66,910 |
| Missouri | $87,520 |
| Montana | $76,910 |
| Nebraska | $75,570 |
| Nevada | $81,990 |
| New Hampshire | $81,220 |
| New Jersey | $105,510 |
| New Mexico | $75,130 |
| New York | $95,700 |
| North Carolina | $75,270 |
| North Dakota | $81,370 |
| Ohio | $79,580 |
| Oklahoma | $73,040 |
| Oregon | $103,070 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,540 |
| Rhode Island | $98,590 |
| South Carolina | $75,350 |
| South Dakota | $77,690 |
| Tennessee | $74,470 |
| Texas | $74,520 |
| Utah | $77,280 |
| Vermont | $82,490 |
| Virginia | $78,640 |
| Washington | $109,570 |
| West Virginia | $80,060 |
| Wisconsin | $85,350 |
| Wyoming | $78,250 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as first-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 94% are on the phone every day
- 91% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 91% say being exact and accurate is very or extremely important
- 90% wear safety gear such as gloves, safety glasses or a hard hat every day
- 63% use email every day
- 63% usually work more than 40 hours a week
- 61% work around hazardous equipment every day
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Post-secondary certificate | 27% |
| Less than high school | 22% |
| High school diploma or GED | 21% |
| Associate's degree | 12% |
Tools and Software Site Supervisors Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy leading, persuading and making business decisions as well as organized work with data, records and clear procedures.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Coordination, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Management of Personnel Resources, Reading Comprehension.
Knowledge areas used most: Administration and Management, Building and Construction, Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, English Language.
Preparation: O*NET places this occupation in Job Zone 3 of 5, which means medium preparation.
Related Careers
These jobs use similar skills, according to O*NET's related-occupation data:
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 47-1011.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.