The short version. BLS reports 2024 median annual wages for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (SOC 47-1011) around $79,000, with the middle 50% at $63,000–$105,000. Behind that median: a huge split between residential lead-carpenter roles at the bottom and union foremen on major-metro commercial and infrastructure projects at the top. A UBC or IBEW foreman in Chicago, NYC, San Francisco, or Seattle routinely earns $58–$78/hr all-in (cash plus fringe), and general foremen and superintendents clear $115,000–$160,000+ with schedule bonus. All figures below are estimates, not offers.
The realistic Construction Supervisor pay range
SOC 47-1011 covers first-line supervisors across every construction trade — carpentry, electrical, plumbing, ironwork, concrete, drywall, painting, roofing, mechanical/pipefitting, and elevator work. BLS OES groups all of them together and reports a national median of $79,000. Behind that median is a large split by trade, union status, and market that any working supervisor knows well.
National median (BLS)~$79,000US, 2024 · BLS OES 47-1011
Typical range$63K–$105KMiddle 50%, base only
Top decile$135K+Union foreman + OT · major metro
Pay by level: Foreman → General Foreman → Superintendent
| Level | Scope | Estimated total comp |
|---|---|---|
| Working Foreman | Crew lead, tools on, single scope | $85,000–$115,000 |
| Foreman | Crew of 4–12, single scope, tools optional | $95,000–$125,000 |
| General Foreman | Multiple crews or scopes on one project | $110,000–$140,000 |
| Superintendent | Full jobsite responsibility, schedule and safety | $115,000–$160,000+ |
| Sr. Superintendent | Multi-project or complex mega-project | $150,000–$220,000 |
Pay by trade
| Trade | Estimated foreman all-in (major metro) |
|---|---|
| Elevator constructor foreman (IUEC) | $110–$140K |
| Mechanical / pipefitter foreman (UA) | $115–$145K |
| Electrical foreman (IBEW) | $110–$140K |
| Ironworker foreman | $105–$135K |
| Carpenter foreman (UBC) | $100–$130K |
| Concrete / cement mason foreman | $95–$125K |
| Drywall / lath & plaster foreman | $85–$115K |
| Roofing foreman | $75–$100K |
| Painting foreman | $68–$95K |
Union vs. non-union
The single largest lever remains union status. UBC, IBEW, UA, and IUEC scale in major-metro locals runs $58–$78/hr all-in for foremen (cash plus fringe — pension, annuity, health, apprenticeship). Non-union residential and small-commercial lead-carpenter roles in the same markets typically sit at $32–$45/hr with much weaker retirement. The gap widens over a 30-year career because the union pension keeps compounding.
Non-union commercial and industrial contractors compete for cash — some are close on hourly — but they rarely compete on pension. This is the working supervisor's math when weighing a lateral offer.
Pay by state
| State | Estimated median wage (BLS OES) |
|---|---|
| Illinois | ~$105,000 |
| New York | ~$102,000 |
| New Jersey | ~$100,000 |
| Hawaii | ~$98,000 |
| California | ~$96,000 |
| Massachusetts | ~$94,000 |
| Washington | ~$88,000 |
| Alaska | ~$88,000 |
| Texas | ~$74,000 |
| Florida | ~$66,000 |
| Alabama / Mississippi / Arkansas | ~$58,000 |
Total comp: overtime, per-diem, and bonus
- Overtime. Union foremen retain OT under CBAs — time-and-a-half over 8 or 40 hours, double-time Sunday and holidays. Non-union salaried supervisors typically lose OT under FLSA exemption.
- Per-diem. Out-of-town CBA work commonly pays $85–$150/day non-taxable per-diem plus travel.
- Schedule bonus. GC/CM superintendents at Turner, DPR, Skanska, Suffolk, and Clark commonly earn 8–20% target bonus on completing on schedule and under budget.
- Truck allowance. Vehicle stipend or company truck often included at the general-foreman-and-up level.
- Fringe. $18–$28/hr on union projects — real money the non-union employer keeps as margin.
How to raise your pay as a construction supervisor
- Move up the ladder. Foreman → General Foreman → Superintendent is the biggest lever. Take on scope, not just hours.
- Add credentials employers pay for. OSHA 30, First Aid/CPR, a trade-specific certification, and Procore/Bluebeam proficiency.
- Consider the GC/CM path. Working superintendents at general contractors carry bonus potential and clear paths to VP-of-construction roles.
- Add PMP or CM-BIM. Signals a move from foreman to project-manager track for candidates targeting GC roles.
- Chase prevailing-wage and infrastructure work. Davis-Bacon federal and state prevailing-wage projects pay above local straight scale.
- Travel selectively. Multi-year infrastructure projects with per-diem can lift annual earnings by $25,000–$45,000.
Line up the next role with a strategist
Marqee's trades strategists help foremen and superintendents target union locals, GC/CM opportunities, and prevailing-wage projects that meaningfully move total comp.
See how Marqee works →Job outlook
BLS projects employment of first-line supervisors of construction trades to grow roughly on pace with the average for all occupations, with continued demand driven by federal infrastructure spending, ongoing residential and multifamily construction, and healthcare and data-center build-outs. Supervisor shortage remains acute in strong-union metros, which continues to support wage growth.
FAQ
BLS reports 2024 median annual wages for First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers around $79,000, with the middle 50% earning roughly $63,000-$105,000.
Foreman: crew lead on a single scope, typically $85,000-$115,000. General foreman: multiple crews or scopes, $110,000-$140,000. Superintendent: full jobsite responsibility, $115,000-$160,000+ with bonus.
On total compensation almost always. Union foremen at major-metro locals earn $58-$78/hr all-in, while non-union residential leads in the same markets typically earn $32-$45/hr with weaker retirement.
Elevator constructor foremen and mechanical/pipefitting foremen typically top the list, followed by electrical and ironworker foremen.
Union foremen typically get overtime after 8 hours daily or 40 hours weekly, plus double-time on Sundays and holidays under many CBAs. Non-union salaried supervisors often lose overtime under FLSA exemption.
Move up the ladder. Add OSHA 30 and trade-specific certification. Learn Procore and Bluebeam. Take a PMP or CM-BIM if targeting GC superintendent work.