Demolition supervisor
Also known as: demolition project manager, demolition site supervisor, demolition and dismantling supervisor, dismantling foreman, demolition foreman, demolition manager
About this occupation
Demolition supervisors monitor operations involved in the demolition of buildings and clean up of debris. They take quick decisions to resolve problems.
A specialisation of construction general supervisor.
Essential skills and knowledge
- react to events in time-critical environments
- supervise staff
- keep records of work progress
- drive mobile heavy construction equipment
- manage health and safety standards
- evaluate employees work
- process incoming construction supplies
- prevent damage to utility infrastructure
- demolition techniques
- ensure equipment availability
- recognise the hazards of dangerous goods
- use safety equipment in construction
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers (O*NET 47-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
- First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
- First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants
- Construction and Building Inspectors
- Construction Managers
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.