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, Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst, Cost Estimator, Estimating Specialist, Estimator, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Commercial Roofing Estimator, Concrete Estimator, Construction Job Cost Estimator, Cost Recovery Technician (Cost Recovery Tech), Crating and Moving Estimator, Drywall Estimator, Electrical Estimator, Flooring Estimator, Heavy Civil Estimator, Industrial Estimator, Investment Recovery Technician (Investment Recovery Tech), Job Cost Estimator, Job Estimator, Mechanical Estimator, Plumbing Estimator, Print Estimator, Printing Estimator, Production Cost Estimator, Project Estimator, Quantity Surveyor, Sales Estimator, Service Advisor, Service Writer, Structural Steel Estimator

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Mathematics
Speaking
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Writing
Complex Problem Solving
Active Learning
Social Perceptiveness
Coordination
Management of Financial Resources

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (81.82% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

61,150–101,850 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 13-1051.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Bachelor's Degree (81.82% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Cost Estimators