Construction general supervisor

About this occupation

Construction general supervisors keep track of the proceedings of all stages in the building process. They coordinate the different teams, assign tasks, and resolve problems.

• Inspect work progress, equipment, or construction sites to verify safety or to ensure that specifications are met.
• Read specifications, such as blueprints, to determine construction requirements or to plan procedures.
• Supervise, coordinate, or schedule the activities of construction or extractive workers.
• Assign work to employees, based on material or worker requirements of specific jobs.
• Coordinate work activities with other construction project activities.
• Estimate material or worker requirements to complete jobs.

Typical education (US)

Post-Secondary Certificate

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

Interests

Enterprising, Conventional, Realistic

Top skills: Coordination, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Management of Personnel Resources, Reading Comprehension

US median pay: US$79,920 a year (2025), 812,210 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
• WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (4.1)
• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.0)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
• Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.5)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
• Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyImportant (3.3)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Post-Secondary Certificate

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.