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Cost Estimators in South Carolina

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Cost Estimators in South Carolina

Thinking about a career as a Cost Estimators in South Carolina? Below are the key facts. 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 South Carolina?

For cost estimators working in South Carolina, the median annual wage is $67,420 per year (or roughly $32.41/hour).Earnings range from $44,500 at the 10th percentile to $106,800 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $44,500 $21.40
25th percentile $54,760 $26.33
Median (50th) $67,420 $32.41
75th percentile $87,700 $42.16
90th percentile $106,800 $51.35
Salary ranges for Cost Estimators in South Carolina

Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in South Carolina relative to the national average — is 0.76, suggesting fewer cost estimators per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, cost estimators earn a median of $80,966 per year ($38.93/hour), lower than the South Carolina median.

Cost Estimators earnings in South Carolina vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 161,579 cost estimators nationwide. In South Carolina alone, approximately 2,460 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 2,460.

Cost Estimators in South Carolina vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Cost Estimators

Top South Carolina Metros for Cost Estimators

The metro areas below employ the most cost estimators in South Carolina.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC 520 $67,340
Charleston-North Charleston, SC 440 $70,410
Columbia, SC 390 $65,050
Spartanburg, SC 170 $66,160
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC 140 $62,990
Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC 110 $65,370
Florence, SC 70 $59,640
Sumter, SC 50 $62,140

Top States for Cost Estimators Employment

These states have the highest employment of 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

Where cost estimators earn the most: 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:

Mathematics  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.8 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mathematics  4.4 / 5
0
5
Economics and Accounting  4.0 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.5 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  3.4 / 5
0
5
Building and Construction  3.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for cost estimators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Inductive Reasoning  4.1 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Mathematical Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Number Facility  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
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

Other careers like cost estimators include:

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

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