Occupation · SOC 47-1011
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
Median wage
$78,690
$51,290–$126,690
Projected growth
+5.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
4,900
per year
Employed (US)
806,080
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,247 mapped
Core skills
CoordinationSpeakingActive ListeningManagement of Personnel ResourcesCritical ThinkingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingWritingQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionNegotiationInstructingActive LearningSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisService OrientationOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlEquipment SelectionMathematicsOperations AnalysisTroubleshootingManagement of Material ResourcesRepairingManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceScienceTechnology DesignProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageDesignPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingPsychologyEducation and TrainingAdministrativePhysicsLaw and GovernmentSales and MarketingGeographyEconomics and AccountingTransportationComputers and ElectronicsTelecommunicationsChemistryCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyBiologyForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAutodesk AutoCADFacilities management softwareFranklinCovey TabletPlannerGraphics softwareHCSS HeavyJobInventory tracking softwareMi-Co Mi-FormsMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft NetMeetingMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementOracle Primavera P6 Enterprise Portfolio Project ManagementOracle Primavera SystemsProcore softwarePrologQuickBase business management softwareSage 300 Construction and Real EstateScheduling softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGetting InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkScheduling Work and ActivitiesEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsControlling Machines and ProcessesProcessing InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentAnalyzing Data or InformationTraining and Teaching OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAssisting and Caring for OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCoaching and Developing OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentWorking with ComputersStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blueprint specifications and construction drawings — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify basic construction requirements on an active job site.Safety inspection checklists — apply to verify work progress and site conditions under the guidance of a senior supervisor on a residential or commercial project.Daily work assignments — distribute to crew members based on written task lists and material availability instructions provided by a lead supervisor.Hand tools, power tools, and basic site equipment — identify correct uses and safety protocols while shadowing experienced tradespeople on a construction site.Material quantities for simple tasks — estimate using standard formulas and supervisor-provided guidelines to support requisition requests on small projects.Worker attendance and scheduling records — maintain using calendar or scheduling software under oversight to support daily crew coordination.Verbal instructions and safety briefings — deliver clearly to small crews following scripted talking points provided by a project manager.Crew performance observations — document and report to a supervising manager using standard forms and project management software templates.Material and supply orders — submit using inventory management software based on pre-approved lists and supervisor direction on an active job site.Construction site hazards and non-compliance issues — recognize and escalate promptly to a lead supervisor following established safety protocols.
developing
Work crew schedules and daily activity plans — coordinate and adjust with reduced oversight to align labor resources with project timelines on mid-size construction sites.Blueprints and technical specifications — read and translate into clear task assignments for trade workers across multiple disciplines on a commercial project.Job site safety inspections — conduct routinely and independently, documenting findings and initiating corrective actions to maintain compliance with OSHA standards.Material and worker requirements for upcoming project phases — estimate using production data and historical records to support purchasing and staffing decisions.Supply and material requisitions — initiate and track through inventory management software to prevent delays on active construction projects.Worker productivity and output quality — monitor using project management software and direct observation, identifying common problems and applying standard corrective measures.Inter-trade work activities — coordinate with adjacent crews and subcontractors to sequence tasks and minimize scheduling conflicts on multi-phase job sites.New crew members — instruct in site-specific safety procedures and trade practices using on-the-job demonstration and company training materials.Personnel conflicts and workflow disruptions — identify root causes and recommend practical solutions to a project manager to restore crew performance.Progress reports and site documentation — compose using spreadsheet and document management software to keep project stakeholders informed of schedule and quality status.
proficient
Full construction site operations — supervise autonomously across all active trades, ensuring work progresses to specification, on schedule, and within safety requirements on large commercial or infrastructure projects.Complex blueprint sets, engineering drawings, and project specifications — interpret independently to resolve construction ambiguities and direct crews through non-standard installation challenges.Non-routine safety incidents and near-misses — investigate thoroughly, identify systemic causes, and implement corrective action plans that exceed minimum regulatory compliance on active job sites.Multi-crew labor and equipment schedules — develop and continuously optimize using project management and scheduling software to maximize productivity across overlapping project phases.Production problems and workforce performance deficiencies — analyze using critical thinking and historical data, then design and implement motivational or procedural improvement plans.Material, labor, and equipment requirements for full project scopes — estimate accurately and independently using quantity takeoffs, supplier data, and crew capacity analysis.Subcontractors and specialty trade vendors — negotiate scope, schedule, and quality expectations to protect project outcomes and maintain budget integrity.Cross-functional project coordination meetings — lead using video conferencing and scheduling tools, aligning construction activities with engineering, procurement, and owner representatives.CAD and facilities management software — use to review design intent, verify field conditions, and communicate spatial requirements to crews and design teams.Crew training and skills development programs — design and deliver using structured learning strategies to build trade competency and prepare workers for advancement.
advanced
Departmental construction supervision strategy — establish standards, workflows, and accountability systems that govern first-line supervisor performance across multiple concurrent projects and regional sites.Organizational safety culture — champion by developing site-wide inspection protocols, incident response frameworks, and safety training curricula that set performance benchmarks for the entire construction division.Workforce planning and personnel resource allocation — lead at the organizational level, matching skilled trade labor pools to pipeline projects and identifying hiring, apprenticeship, and retention strategies.First-line supervisors and crew leads — mentor and evaluate through structured performance review processes, building a next generation of field leadership capable of managing complex projects independently.Enterprise-level project management and scheduling systems — oversee implementation and adoption across field operations, ensuring consistent data quality and decision-support capability for executives.Construction production metrics and quality control data — analyze at portfolio scale to identify systemic inefficiencies, benchmark performance against industry standards, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.Senior client relationships and owner representatives — manage through high-stakes negotiations and strategic communication to maintain contract integrity and secure repeat business for the organization.Organizational policies for regulatory compliance and public safety — author and enforce across all construction and extraction operations, integrating current OSHA, environmental, and municipal requirements.Cross-departmental coordination between construction, engineering, procurement, and finance — lead at the executive level to resolve complex project conflicts and align organizational resources with strategic priorities.Capital equipment acquisition and large-scale material procurement strategy — direct by evaluating vendor proposals, negotiating contract terms, and authorizing purchases that support long-range operational and financial goals.
Also known as
166 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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