What does a General Contractor do?

General contractors are responsible for the overall administration of a construction project and managing the day-to-day activities of the job site operation. They coordinate and supervise the work of subcontractors, trade professionals, and other workers involved in the project and often serve as a liaison between the customer and other parties. They are accountable for ensuring quality standards are met and all work is done safely and according to specifications. They oversee the ordering and delivery of materials and supplies and approve payments to vendors.

General contractors have an extensive background in the construction industry or building trades, including hands-on experience managing all phases of a project. They must have excellent project management skills and in-depth knowledge of all of the trades involved in the project. These roles require strong attention to detail.

Education--
Work/Life Balance
3.6 ★
Salary Range--
Career Opportunity
3.3 ★
Avg. Experience8+ years

General Contractor Salaries near Canada

Average Base Pay

$84,241 /yr
Not including cash compensation
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Not enough salaries reported to show distribution
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Glassdoor Estimated Salary

General Contractor Career Path

Learn how to become a General Contractor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

General Contractor

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
6%
2 - 4
8%
5 - 7
17%
8+
69%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

General Contractor Insights

Read what General Contractor professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
MerckMerck
Contractor
May 27, 2023

“Good experience if you are looking to learn and have a manager who wants to support your career growth.”

Insight GlobalInsight Global
Contractor
Nov 16, 2022

“She is a fantastic recruiter and I am lucky that we were able to work together.”

Resource LogisticsResource Logistics
Contractor
Apr 15, 2022

“There aren't any paid holidays and the benefits are way below what is average in the workforce.”

Visionaire PartnersVisionaire Partners
Contractor
Jul 7, 2021

“I do wish that the job came with PTO and the pay was a little higher.”

erica lane enterpriseserica lane enterprises
Contractor
Aug 15, 2021

“Nothing I can think of off the top of my head my entire job is wonderful”

Loyal SourceLoyal Source
Contractor
Aug 19, 2021

“The pay is decent as a contractor while I was working there but at what cost”

GC ServicesGC Services
Contractor
Dec 13, 2021

“I miss my call center friends but that is normal life when you work from home.”

EvernoteEvernote
Independent Contractor
Jul 13, 2023

“This team was truly one of the most incredible group of people I worked with.”

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General Contractor Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a General Contractor

The most similar professions to General Contractor are:
  • Warehouse Manager
  • Technical Project Manager
  • Program Manager
  • Project Manager

Related Careers

Warehouse Manager
$65,192
No skills overlap
Technical Project Manager
$101,239
No skills overlap
Program Manager
$92,404
No skills overlap
Project Manager
$89,676
No skills overlap

General Contractor jobs