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.

$77,070
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
-4% projected 2024โ€“2034
Bachelor's degree
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Cost estimators analyze project requirements and calculate what it will take to complete them successfully. They review blueprints, specifications, and proposals to identify all necessary materials, labor, and equipment. During a typical day, they might visit construction sites to assess conditions, consult with engineers and contractors about technical details, or use specialized software to generate detailed cost breakdowns. They research current prices for materials, track labor rates in different markets, and account for factors like shipping, permits, and potential delays.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Business/Commerce(masters)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
$190,333
Business/Commerce(masters)Northwestern University, IL
$188,890
Business/Commerce(masters)Emory University, GA
$166,848
Business/Commerce(masters)University of Virginia-Main Campus, VA
$159,747
Mechanical Engineering(masters)Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA
$155,889
Mechanical Engineering(doctoral)Stanford University, CA
$143,758
Business/Commerce(masters)Michigan State University, MI
$133,992
Business/Commerce(masters)University of Denver, CO
$132,833
Business/Commerce(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$128,210
Business/Commerce(masters)University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI
$127,264
Business/Commerce(masters)Indiana University-Bloomington, IN
$125,488
Mechanical Engineering(masters)Santa Clara University, CA
$124,058
Mechanical Engineering(masters)Stanford University, CA
$121,408
Mechanical Engineering(doctoral)Purdue University-Main Campus, IN
$119,547
Manufacturing Engineering(masters)Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA
$118,763
Business/Commerce(masters)Indiana University-Indianapolis, IN
$117,414
Business/Commerce(masters)Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia, PA
$116,023
Business/Commerce(masters)Northeastern University Professional Programs, MA
$115,920
Business/Commerce(masters)Worcester Polytechnic Institute, MA
$115,920
Business/Commerce(masters)Bentley University, MA
$115,920
Business/Commerce(masters)Northeastern University, MA
$115,920
Business/Commerce(masters)Nichols College, MA
$115,920
Business/Commerce(masters)Harvard University, MA
$115,920
Manufacturing Engineering(masters)Southern Methodist University, TX
$115,893
Mechanical Engineering(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$114,588

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