Cost Estimators in California
Want to work as a Cost Estimators in California? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Make in California?
For cost estimators working in California, the median annual wage is $84,610 per year (or roughly $40.68/hour).Annual wages span from $51,780 at the 10th percentile to $149,400 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| 25th percentile | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Median (50th) | $84,610 | $40.68 |
| 75th percentile | $116,660 | $56.09 |
| 90th percentile | $149,400 | $71.83 |
The job concentration index in California compared to the national average — is 0.99.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, cost estimators earn a median of $80,966 per year ($38.93/hour), above the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 161,579 cost estimators nationwide. In California alone, around 25,580 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 2,460 cost estimators.
Top California Metros for Cost Estimators
The largest metro-area employers of cost estimators in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,350 | $80,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 3,520 | $103,030 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,680 | $84,600 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 2,560 | $77,610 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 2,010 | $84,740 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,680 | $97,990 |
| Fresno, CA | 810 | $77,430 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 550 | $75,640 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 550 | $90,710 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 500 | $78,750 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 400 | $79,800 |
| Modesto, CA | 280 | $81,310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 270 | $75,620 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 240 | $79,100 |
| Vallejo, CA | 220 | $88,090 |
| Visalia, CA | 190 | $74,580 |
| Salinas, CA | 180 | $78,640 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 160 | $79,960 |
| Chico, CA | 140 | $94,200 |
| Redding, CA | 130 | $81,220 |
| Napa, CA | 110 | $84,130 |
| Merced, CA | 80 | $72,800 |
| Yuba City, CA | 70 | $74,180 |
| El Centro, CA | 50 | $66,070 |
Top States for Cost Estimators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most cost estimators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 25,580 |
| Texas | 21,810 |
| Florida | 14,640 |
| New York | 9,790 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,370 |
| Ohio | 8,500 |
| Washington | 7,320 |
| Missouri | 6,990 |
| North Carolina | 6,620 |
| Virginia | 6,570 |
| Illinois | 6,220 |
| Michigan | 6,110 |
| Colorado | 6,020 |
| Massachusetts | 5,340 |
| Wisconsin | 5,200 |
| New Jersey | 5,130 |
| Georgia | 5,100 |
| Indiana | 4,800 |
| Arizona | 4,540 |
| Maryland | 4,380 |
Highest-Paying States for Cost Estimators
The highest-paying states for cost estimators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $102,680 |
| California | $84,610 |
| District of Columbia | $84,410 |
| New York | $82,940 |
| Washington | $82,900 |
| Colorado | $81,990 |
| Maryland | $81,490 |
| New Jersey | $80,880 |
| Nevada | $80,270 |
| Minnesota | $79,950 |
Skills
Top cost estimators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for cost estimators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
- Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
- Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
- Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
- Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to reduce cost.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Documenting/Recording Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ConstructConnect PlanSwift
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Business Administration & Management
- Business & Commerce
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like cost estimators include:
- Construction Managers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Logistics Engineers
- Project Management Specialists
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
Also Known As
Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Commercial Roofing Estimator, Concrete Estimator, Construction Estimator, Construction Job Cost Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 13-1051.00
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