Business & Finance · Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service
This profile is intended as career exploration guidance based on federal labor data. Actual job requirements, salaries, and opportunities vary by employer and location.
Entry Salary
$26–32k
First 1–2 years
Peak Salary
$71–83k
10+ years experience
Job Outlook
-4.2% · Declining
Projected decline of -4.2% from 2024 to 2034; about 17 openings projected per year.
Time to Start
4–6 years
College degree typical
Salary data sourced from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2024. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, employer, and specialization.
Entry-Level Estimators
Cost Estimators
Experienced Cost Estimators
Senior Cost Estimators
Director of Business & Finance
You prioritize Relationships
This career is strongly aligned with Relationships — a core work value that shapes how people approach their career decisions.
You're strong in Mathematics
Mathematics is a top skill for this career, and it plays to what students like you naturally do best.
Good fit for your timeline
This career typically requires a bachelor's degree, which matches common student preparation goals.
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335 schools offer programs in this career field.
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