Construction & Extraction
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Also called: Coal Mine Production Foreman, Construction Foreman, Construction Supervisor, Electrical Supervisor
US median pay
$79,920
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
67,000
913,300 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Analyze worker or production problems and recommend solutions, such as improving production methods or implementing motivational plans.
- Order or requisition materials or supplies.
- Train workers in construction methods, operation of equipment, safety procedures, or company policies.
- Locate, measure, and mark site locations or placement of structures or equipment, using measuring and marking equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Coordination3.9/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.6/5
- Time Management3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
Knowledge
- Building and Construction4.1/5
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- Mechanical4.0/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Design3.5/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Post-secondary certificate27%
- Less than high school22%
- High school diploma21%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.