Cost Estimators
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.
Also called: Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator
Median pay
$78,740
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,530 – $130,820
People employed
224,220
Holland code
CEI
Conventional · Enterprising · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 2.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Cost Estimators pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What cost estimators do
- 01Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- 02Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- 03Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- 04Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- 05Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- 06Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
Skills that matter most
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Building and Construction
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from cost estimators
- Construction Managers86% · +46%
- Industrial Engineers82% · +30%
- Architectural and Engineering Managers81% · +118%
- Sales Engineers79% · +59%
- Wind Energy Development Managers79% · group pay
Change into cost estimators
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Wind Energy Development Managers79% · $141,900
- Credit Analysts77% · $83,510
- Treasurers and Controllers77% · $166,570
- Accountants and Auditors76% · $83,680
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers74% · $141,900
Majors that lead here
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business Administration and Management, General
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.