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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 profit87.34%
  2. Self-employed9.51%
  3. State and local government1.34%
  4. Private, not for profit1.10%
  5. Federal government0.54%

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

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
-3%
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Job Outlook

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Employment of cost estimators is projected to decline 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. Despite declining employment, about 18,000 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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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$71,200

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$39,540
$94,550
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 81%
  • Associate's degree 9%
  • High school 4%
  • Master'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%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
  • Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

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

Knowledge

  • Mathematics
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Administration and Management
  • Building and Construction

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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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.