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Cost Estimators

General Information

Description

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.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit88.20%
  2. Self-employed9.13%
  3. Federal government0.79%
  4. State and local government0.77%
  5. Private, not for profit0.60%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Architecture & Construction

Job Outlook

Employment of cost estimators is projected to decline 2 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, about 18,500 openings for cost estimators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of cost estimators is projected to decline 2 percent from 2021 to 2031. Despite decliningemployment, about 18,500 openings for cost estimators are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

Related Military Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$65,170

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$98,830
$35,040
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 63%
  • Master's degree 18%
  • Post-secondary certificate 9%
  • High school 4%
  • Associate's degree 4%
  • Some college 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Mathematics
  • Building and Construction
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administration and Management

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.