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Cost Estimator

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What Does it Take to Be a Cost Estimator?

Cost Estimator Definition 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.

What Do Cost Estimators Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
  • Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.
  • Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
  • Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
  • Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
  • Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.

Cost Estimator Needed Skills

Cost Estimators state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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.

Other Cost Estimator Job Titles

  • Contract Analyst
  • Cost Engineer
  • Cost and Risk Analysis Manager
  • Cost Analyst
  • Building Construction Estimator

Is There Job Demand for Cost Estimators?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 217,900 jobs in the United States for Cost Estimator. 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.

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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.

How Much Does a Cost Estimator Make?

The typical yearly salary for Cost Estimators is somewhere between $38,060 and $107,940.

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Cost Estimators who work in District of Columbia, Hawaii, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Cost Estimators 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?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Cost Estimators may use on a daily basis:

  • 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

What kind of Cost Estimator requirements are there?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Cost Estimators Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Cost Estimators employed by various industries.

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Cost Estimator might also be interested in the following careers:

Those who work as a Cost Estimator sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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