What Does it Take to Be a Cost Estimator?
Position Description Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Life As a Cost Estimator
- Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.
- Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.
- Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
Featured schools near , edit
What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Cost Estimator?
When polled, Cost Estimators say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Cost Estimator Jobs
- Crating and Moving Estimator
- Construction Job Cost Estimator
- Acquisition Cost Estimator
- Investment Recovery Technician
- Job Cost Estimator
Is There Going to be Demand for Cost Estimators?
There were about 217,900 jobs for Cost Estimator in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 22,900 new jobs for Cost Estimator by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 24,400 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Cost Estimator are Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Cost Estimator Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Cost Estimator ranges between $38,060 and $107,940.
Cost Estimators who work in District of Columbia, Hawaii, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Cost Estimators make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,870 |
| Alaska | $83,450 |
| Arizona | $66,410 |
| Arkansas | $61,500 |
| California | $78,190 |
| Colorado | $73,110 |
| Connecticut | $74,910 |
| Delaware | $68,690 |
| District of Columbia | $93,880 |
| Florida | $62,370 |
| Georgia | $67,190 |
| Hawaii | $82,390 |
| Idaho | $60,400 |
| Illinois | $66,480 |
| Indiana | $65,790 |
| Iowa | $62,410 |
| Kansas | $66,500 |
| Kentucky | $65,460 |
| Louisiana | $67,650 |
| Maine | $61,960 |
| Maryland | $71,650 |
| Massachusetts | $77,670 |
| Michigan | $63,810 |
| Minnesota | $65,520 |
| Mississippi | $60,360 |
| Missouri | $67,620 |
| Montana | $58,960 |
| Nebraska | $59,160 |
| Nevada | $66,650 |
| New Hampshire | $67,610 |
| New Jersey | $75,340 |
| New Mexico | $59,580 |
| New York | $75,730 |
| North Carolina | $62,590 |
| North Dakota | $69,010 |
| Ohio | $64,700 |
| Oklahoma | $64,300 |
| Oregon | $71,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,330 |
| Rhode Island | $67,470 |
| South Carolina | $63,520 |
| South Dakota | $54,860 |
| Tennessee | $63,770 |
| Texas | $73,950 |
| Utah | $65,940 |
| Vermont | $65,790 |
| Virginia | $74,160 |
| Washington | $77,510 |
| West Virginia | $63,890 |
| Wisconsin | $57,990 |
| Wyoming | $76,670 |
What Tools & Technology do Cost Estimators Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Cost Estimators:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- Oracle Hyperion
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Autodesk Revit
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
Becoming a Cost Estimator
Are there Cost Estimators education requirements?
What work experience do I need to become a Cost Estimator?
Where Cost Estimators Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Cost Estimators employed by various industries.
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Cost Estimator may also be interested in:
- Tax Preparers
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
Are you already one of the many Cost Estimator in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs.
Visit School
BusinessDegreeCentral.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© BusinessDegreeCentral.com – All Rights Reserved.