Construction Superintendents in Portland command $137K to $189K in base salary as of 2026, a range that reflects the city’s robust commercial, civil, and multifamily development market. When bonuses, truck allowances, and per-diem are factored in, total compensation often climbs 10-30% higher, positioning experienced Supers near $245K annually.
Superintendent salary range in Portland: $137K, $189K base
The $137K, $189K range represents typical base compensation for Superintendents in the Portland metro area, adjusted for local cost of living and competitive market rates. This spread exists because Superintendent pay is driven by several interconnected factors: years of field experience, project size and complexity, construction sector (commercial, civil, industrial, multifamily), and employer size.
A Superintendent managing a $15M mixed-use development will earn differently than one overseeing a $40M heavy highway contract, and both will differ from a Super running a smaller general contracting operation. Similarly, a candidate with 6 years in the field typically lands in the lower-to-middle portion of the range, while a 12-year veteran commanding crews on major projects sits comfortably in the upper band.
On top of base salary, most Portland-area construction employers layer in performance bonuses (10-20% of base), weekly per-diem for field work, and an annual truck allowance or company vehicle. These additions alone can push total annual compensation into the $160K, $245K range depending on project activity and bonus achievement.
What drives Superintendent pay in Portland’s construction market
Portland’s construction market remains one of the Pacific Northwest’s most active, driven by sustained multifamily development in central neighborhoods, ongoing commercial office and mixed-use projects, and significant civil and heavy highway work on state and local infrastructure. This sector diversity creates steady demand for experienced Superintendents, keeping wages competitive and supply tight.
The city’s labor market also reflects Oregon’s cost of living, which is moderate relative to West Coast counterparts like Seattle or San Francisco, yet higher than Midwest markets. Employers price Superintendent salaries accordingly, high enough to attract talent, realistic enough to remain sustainable in a mid-sized regional market.
Recent growth in industrial and logistics construction around Portland’s distribution hubs, combined with ongoing downtown revitalization projects, has widened demand for seasoned field leadership. This expanded pipeline of work naturally increases pay pressure at the Superintendent level.
Superintendent compensation by experience level
- 3-5 years in the field: $116K, $144K base
Early-stage Supers handling smaller projects or supporting lead Superintendents on large jobs.
- 5-10 years of experience: $137K, $163K base
Core market range; managing standard commercial or multifamily projects independently.
- 10-15 years on the job: $163K, $189K base
Senior Supers with strong safety records and large-project track records; often leading multiple trades and crews.
- 15+ years; proven track record: $189K, $227K+ base
Principal-level Superintendents, often handling portfolio of projects or mentoring junior leadership; can exceed $227K with bonus and incentives.
Note: These ranges reflect Portland-specific adjustments to national construction salary benchmarks and are calibrated from active placement data.
Benefits + total comp beyond base
Beyond base salary, Portland construction employers typically offer a standard benefits package: 401(k) matching (3-6% of base), health insurance (medical, dental, vision), and often a defined contribution plan or pension option for longer-tenured staff.
Truck allowance ($400, $800/month) or a company vehicle, plus weekly per-diem ($50, $150/week depending on project location), are near-universal. Many employers tie an annual bonus (10-20% of base) to project milestones, safety performance, and profitability metrics. For a $163K base Superintendent, a 15% bonus adds roughly $24K annually. When combined with per-diem and truck, total compensation regularly reaches $200K+.
What Portland construction companies pay top performers
Amundson Group’s placement data shows that top-tier Superintendents, those with 12+ years, strong safety culture credentials, and a track record leading large multifamily or mixed-use projects, often command the top of our $137K, $189K range or exceed it entirely. High-performance Supers, especially those with estimating or project management crossover, frequently land in the $210K, $250K total comp band when bonuses and incentives align.
For especially complex projects (large industrial builds, major civil work, or high-rise multifamily), Portland employers occasionally place Superintendents above the typical range to secure experienced leadership. Specialized expertise in union relations, cost management, or safety compliance can command a 5-15% premium over standard range midpoints.
See Amundson Group’s full Superintendent Salary Guide
Our Salary Guide is updated quarterly with real placement data across commercial, civil, multifamily, industrial, and energy verticals across the US. If you’re hiring Superintendents in Portland or the Pacific Northwest, explore our recruitment services, or browse open Superintendent roles to see current placements in the market.