Cost estimators

Cost estimators - Job Description, Average Salaries, Career Opportunities, Job Opportunities, National Labor Statistics, Injuries and Education Requirements.


Cost estimators Job Description

Cost estimators try to determine the cost, scope, and length of a project so that their company can make a reasonably accurate bid for a project, or so that their company can decide whether to pursue a project. They also follow-up to see if the projects are staying within the anticipated parameters.


Number of People with Cost estimator Jobs in U.S. 2003 - 2009

Cost estimators: Number of workers 2003 - 2009
2003 89,000
2004 88,000
2005 80,000
2006 97,000
2007 104,000
2008 82,000
2009 104,000





Number of Males with Cost estimator Jobs in U.S. 2003 - 2009

Cost estimators: Number of Male Workers 2003 - 2009
2003 74,000
2004 73,000
2005 67,000
2006 84,000
2007 89,000
2008 73,000
2009 89,000





Number of Females with Cost estimator Jobs in U.S. 2003 - 2009

Cost estimators: Number of Female Workers 2003 - 2009
2003 15,000
2004 14,000
2005 14,000
2006 13,000
2007 16,000
2008 9,000
2009 15,000





Average Annual Salary for Cost estimator Jobs 2003 - 2009

Cost estimators: Average Annual Salary 2003 - 2009
2003 $45,500
2004 $46,176
2005 $48,932
2006 $52,416
2007 $53,768
2008 $54,860
2009 $53,404





Average Annual Salary for Male Cost estimator Jobs 2003 - 2009

Cost estimators: Average Male Annual Salary 2003 - 2009
2003 $45,864
2004 $47,580
2005 $49,972
2006 $54,028
2007 $55,276
2008 $56,264
2009 $54,600





Projected Job Openings for Cost estimators
Projected Employment, 2018 272,900
Number of New Hires 55,200
Percent Change 25 %
Total Job Opportunities Due to Growth and Replacement Through 2018 103,600


How to Become a Cost estimator: Educational Background for Cost estimators in the U.S.

Most Significant Source of Education for Cost estimators
Less than High School Diploma 4%
High school Diploma or Equivalent 25%
Some College, No Degree 30%
Associate's Degree 11%
Bachelor's Degree 27%
Master's Degree 3%
Doctoral or Professional Degree 0%





Other data sources show the following industry statistics:

Employment for Cost estimators in the U.S. for 1997 - 2009

Employment for Cost estimators 1997 - 2009
1997 150,360
1998 150,600
1999 201,500
2000 196,420
2001 188,840
2002 185,080
2003 184,620
2004 191,080
2005 204,330
2006 216,900
2007 218,400
2008 218,400
2009 197,330


Average Annual Salary for Cost estimators for 1997 - 2009

Average Annual Salary for Cost estimators for 1997 - 2009
1997 $42,020
1998 $43,910
1999 $46,000
2000 $49,070
2001 $50,450
2002 $51,310
2003 $52,050
2004 $53,870
2005 $55,980
2006 $56,820
2007 $60,320
2008 $60,320
2009 $61,190


Graph of Average Hourly Salary for Cost estimators for 1997 - 2009

Average Hourly Salary for Cost estimators for 1997 - 2009
1997 $20
1998 $21
1999 $22.12
2000 $23.59
2001 $24.25
2002 $24.67
2003 $25.03
2004 $25.90
2005 $26.91
2006 $27.32
2007 $29.00
2008 $29.00
2009 $29.42


Table of Average Salary by State (Ordered Higest-Paying to Lowest-Paying) for Cost estimators for 2009

District of Columbia $77,370
Virgin Islands $75,590
Massachusetts $73,080
Alaska $71,190
California $69,120
Nevada $68,860
Hawaii $68,620
Connecticut $67,510
New York $67,390
New Jersey $66,720
Illinois $65,460
Maryland $64,010
Washington $62,380
Michigan $61,920
Delaware $61,400
Ohio $61,140
Wisconsin $60,860
Rhode Island $60,570
Texas $60,550
Vermont $60,460
Oregon $60,430
Virginia $60,340
New Hampshire $60,320
Georgia $60,170
Colorado $60,050
Pennsylvania $59,310
Indiana $58,440
New Mexico $58,100
Arizona $58,050
Minnesota $58,030
Missouri $57,840
Florida $57,350
Louisiana $57,030
Tennessee $56,340
Kansas $56,220
North Carolina $54,860
Maine $54,230
Alabama $54,010
Utah $53,720
South Carolina $53,320
Mississippi $52,410
Iowa $52,170
Kentucky $52,090
Idaho $51,030
Oklahoma $50,570
Arkansas $50,510
Wyoming $50,250
Nebraska $49,790
West Virginia $49,010
North Dakota $46,680
Montana $45,770
South Dakota $45,270
Guam $44,730
Puerto Rico $35,020