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Construction general supervisor

Also called construction foreman, construction forewoman, construction supervisor

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.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 10 countries now. 27 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Science and engineering associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree.Science and engineering associate professionalsWill AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Construction supervisors · ILO

What you'd do

Construction supervisors · ILO
  • Reading specifications to determine construction requirements and planning procedures
  • Organizing and coordinating the material and human resources required to complete jobs
  • Examining and inspecting work progress
  • Examining equipment and construction sites to ensure that health and safety requirements are met
  • Supervising construction sites and coordinating work with other construction projects
  • Supervising the activities of building trades workers, labourers and other construction workers
Evaluate employees workEnsure compliance with construction project deadlinePlan shifts of employeesSupervise staffProcess incoming construction supplies+ 15 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors and outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Construction Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

10 EU countries are short of construction supervisors now, and a typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as science and engineering associate professionals in the EU
7.4m7.3m7.49m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
142,000 new jobs 1,835,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Science and engineering associate professionals27
All jobs29
Right now
10 of 27 countries report a shortage of construction supervisors, 3 a surplus.
Construction supervisors · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in law is the usual route.

Highest qualification of science and engineering associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 41%Vocational 43%General secondary 7%Basic schooling 9%
Fields that teach it
Law · Building and civil engineering
Vocational route, EU
Fewer than 1 in 10 trainees in this field
Business and law graduates in a matching job
66% in the EU

1,314 institutions in the EU offer business and law bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.28 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 6 tasks
Reading specifications to determine construction requirements and planning procedures0.36
Organizing and coordinating the material and human resources required to complete jobs0.36
Supervising construction sites and coordinating work with other construction projects0.28
Examining and inspecting work progress0.23
Examining equipment and construction sites to ensure that health and safety requirements are met0.23
Supervising the activities of building trades workers, labourers and other construction workers0.22

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for construction supervisors. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).