Jobs Similar to Cost Estimators
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to cost estimators, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Wind Energy Development Managers, Actuaries and Treasurers and Controllers.
Cost Estimators: $78,740 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Cost Estimators) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wind Energy Development Managers | 79% | $141,900Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Actuaries | 78% | $130,000+65% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Treasurers and Controllers | 77% | $166,570Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Credit Analysts | 77% | $83,510+6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Budget Analysts | 77% | $91,640+16% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Logistics EngineersSame group | 76% | $82,320Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Accountants and Auditors | 76% | $83,680+6% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Information Technology Project Managers | 76% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Purchasing Managers | 76% | $148,080+88% | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Construction Managers | 76% | $114,990+46% | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | 76% | $171,270+118% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Logistics AnalystsSame group | 76% | $82,320Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | General and Operations Managers | 76% | $105,770+34% | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Financial Quantitative Analysts | 75% | $81,100Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 15 | Procurement Clerks | 75% | $50,580−36% | High school |
| 16 | LogisticiansSame group | 75% | $82,320+5% | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Sales Engineers | 75% | $124,900+59% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Supply Chain Managers | 74% | $107,230Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Project Management SpecialistsSame group | 74% | $102,320+30% | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Investment Fund Managers | 74% | $166,570Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Wind Energy Development Managers
79% similar · $141,900 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 2Actuaries
78% similar · $130,000 (+65%) · Bachelor's degree
- 3Treasurers and Controllers
77% similar · $166,570 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 4Credit Analysts
77% similar · $83,510 (+6%) · Bachelor's degree
- 5Budget Analysts
77% similar · $91,640 (+16%) · Bachelor's degree
- 6Logistics Engineers
76% similar · $82,320 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Accountants and Auditors
76% similar · $83,680 (+6%) · Bachelor's degree
- 8Information Technology Project Managers
76% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Purchasing Managers
76% similar · $148,080 (+88%) · Bachelor's degree
- 10Construction Managers
76% similar · $114,990 (+46%) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Architectural and Engineering Managers
76% similar · $171,270 (+118%) · Graduate degree
- 12Logistics Analysts
76% similar · $82,320 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 13General and Operations Managers
76% similar · $105,770 (+34%) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Financial Quantitative Analysts
75% similar · $81,100 (broader group) · Graduate degree
- 15Procurement Clerks
75% similar · $50,580 (−36%) · High school
- 16Logisticians
75% similar · $82,320 (+5%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Sales Engineers
75% similar · $124,900 (+59%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Supply Chain Managers
74% similar · $107,230 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Project Management Specialists
74% similar · $102,320 (+30%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 20Investment Fund Managers
74% similar · $166,570 (broader group) · Graduate degree
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than cost estimators.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for cost estimators also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where cost estimators is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Wind Energy Development Managers (79)
- Credit Analysts (77)
- Treasurers and Controllers (77)
- Accountants and Auditors (76)
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers (74)
- Budget Analysts (74)
- Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar (74)
- Supply Chain Managers (74)
- Financial Quantitative Analysts (72)
- Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors (72)
Questions about jobs like cost estimators
What jobs are most similar to cost estimators?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Wind Energy Development Managers (79% similar), Actuaries (78% similar), Treasurers and Controllers (77% similar), Credit Analysts (77% similar) and Budget Analysts (77% similar).
Which jobs like cost estimators pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Architectural and Engineering Managers ($171,270, +118%; usually a graduate degree), Purchasing Managers ($148,080, +88%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Actuaries ($130,000, +65%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with cost estimators ($78,740). Without more preparation than cost estimators usually need: Purchasing Managers, Actuaries and Sales Engineers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.