A foreman or construction foreman ensures that all tasks are properly completed on the construction site, and that deadlines are met. They meet with their supervisors each morning, obtain assignments, then delegate the tasks to their crew workers accordingly. At times, the foreman must also prioritize certain assignments to keep the crew on schedule. They also help train new crew people when necessary. A foreman is typically paid an hourly wage.

Average Wages

A foreman earns between $17.41 and $26.67 per hour, according to 2011 PayScale data, which equals $36,213 to $55,474 annually, based on a 40-hour workweek. With the inclusion of overtime, bonuses and profit sharing, a foreman can earn a total annual income of between $40,825 and $65,161. Though PayScale reports average or mean wages, the data ranges represent the 25th and 75th percentiles, not exact low and high ranges.

Years of Experience

A foreman can expect to earn somewhat significant increases in pay as he advance in his career. For example, those with less than one year of experience earn hourly wages of $9 to $17, or $18,720 to $35,360 per year, based on 40-hour workweeks. Those with one to four years of experience can expect to earn wages of $14.47 to $20.24 per hour or $30,098 to $42,099 annually. With five to nine years of experience, these construction workers earn hourly rates of $15.94 to $22.02 or $33,155 to $45,802 annually. Additionally, a foreman with 10 to 19 years of experience earns $18.01 to $27.63 per hour or $37,461 to $57,470 per year. And those with 20 or more years of experience earn hourly wages between $20.18 and $31.45 or $41,974 to $65,416 per year.

Salary by Industry

A foreman's salary can vary considerably by industry. For example, those who are electrical contractors earn some of the highest hourly wages at $21.91 to $32.89 per year, per PayScale; or between $45,573 and $68,411 annually, based on 40-hour workweeks. Those working in the heating and cooling industry also earn relatively high hourly wages at $19.49 to $31.42, or $40,539 to $65,353 per year. A foreman working in both commercial and residential construction earns $19.04 to $29.91 per hour or $39,603 to $62,213 per year. And those working as general contractors earn $16.78 to $27.34 hourly or $34,902 to $56,867 per year.

Salary by State

A foreman earns some of his highest hourly wages in California at $22.08 to $33.37, per PayScale; or $45,926 to $69,410 annually, based on a 40-hour workweek. Those in New York also earn relatively high hourly rates at $20.10 to $32.57, or $41,808 to $67,746 per year. Additionally, a foreman can expect to earn $17.32 to $25.77 per hour or $36,026 to $53,602 annually in Pennsylvania; $16.19 to $25.20 per hour or $33,675 to $52.416 per year in Ohio; and $15.45 to $22.61 hourly or $32,053 to $47,029 annually in Texas.