Cost Estimators
Cost estimators collect and analyze data in order to assess the time, money, materials, and labor required to make a product or provide a service.
Is cost estimators a good career?
It scores 17/100 and ranks #442 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($78,740 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-4.2% through 2034)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What cost estimators earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. cost estimators earn between $61,150 and $101,850 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live cost estimators jobs
No live cost estimators openings yet
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No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a cost estimator
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Employers generally prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree.
Construction cost estimators typically need a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as construction or engineering. Manufacturing cost estimators typically need a degree in business or finance.
Training
Most cost estimators receive on-the-job training, which may include instruction in cost estimation techniques and software and in building information modeling (BIM), computer-aided design (CAD), or other industry-specific software.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Cost estimators must review and evaluate different construction and manufacturing methods to find cost-effective options.
Detail oriented. Cost estimators must be precise, because minor changes may greatly affect the overall expense of a project or product.
Math skills. Cost estimators need excellent math skills to calculate labor, material, and equipment estimates for construction projects.
Time-management skills. Cost estimators must plan in advance and work efficiently to meet their deadlines.
Writing skills. Cost estimators must have excellent writing skills to prepare comprehensive reports, which often help managers make production decisions.
Related occupations
How much do cost estimators make?
The national median wage is $78,740 a year, with the middle half earning between $61,150 and $101,850 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is cost estimators a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 17 of 100 and ranks #442 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -4.2% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a cost estimator?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do cost estimators earn the most?
Among states, Massachusetts pays the highest median ($100,840). Local pay for every state and metro is below.