# 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cost-estimators
- SOC code: 13-1051.00
- Career family: Business and finance
- Median annual pay: $78,740 (10th percentile $48,530, 90th percentile $130,820)
- Projected growth: Decline, -3.1%
- Openings a year: 17,600
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CEI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 34 |
| Investigative (I) | 36 |
| Artistic (A) | 2 |
| Social (S) | 11 |
| Enterprising (E) | 61 |
| Conventional (C) | 91 |

## What you'd do

- Getting Information (importance 91/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 89/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 89/100)
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (importance 87/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 83/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 82/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 81/100)
- Processing Information (importance 77/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 71/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 71/100)

## Skills

Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Active Learning, Coordination

## Knowledge

Mathematics, Economics and Accounting, Computers and Electronics, Engineering and Technology, Building and Construction, Administration and Management, English Language, Design, Customer and Personal Service, Mechanical

## Also called

Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Commercial Roofing Estimator, Concrete Estimator, Construction Estimator

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Business Administration, Management and Operations](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5202) (CIP 5202, 2,372 colleges)
- [Business/Commerce, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5201) (CIP 5201, 975 colleges)
- [Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1419) (CIP 1419, 445 colleges)
- [Construction Engineering Technology/Technician](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1510) (CIP 1510, 178 colleges)
- [Materials Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1418) (CIP 1418, 120 colleges)
- [Manufacturing Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1436) (CIP 1436, 86 colleges)
- [Construction Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1433) (CIP 1433, 59 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Carnegie Mellon University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/carnegie-mellon-university-406) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $97,419 | $160,783 | $19,000 |
| [University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-main-campus-2956) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $96,806 | $144,654 | $19,500 |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $94,811 | $144,599 | $10,656 |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $108,743 | $136,806 | $19,250 |
| [Emory University-Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/emory-university-main-campus-916) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $87,830 | $136,731 | $15,000 |
| [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Main Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill-main-campus-2990) | Business Administration, Management and Operations | $88,182 | $135,874 | $9,250 |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Mechanical Engineering | $94,095 | $131,967 | $15,000 |
| [California State University Maritime Academy](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-maritime-academy-363) | Mechanical Engineering | $98,324 | $126,395 | $23,147 |

## Related careers

- [Logistics Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/logistics-engineers): $82,320 median pay
- [Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/civil-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $64,950 median pay
- [Construction Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/construction-managers): $114,990 median pay
- [Industrial Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/industrial-engineers): $102,440 median pay
- [Architectural and Engineering Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/architectural-and-engineering-managers): $171,270 median pay
- [Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/production-planning-and-expediting-clerks): $59,650 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.