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Industrial Engineers
CAREER
Cost Estimators
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$74,740
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-2.1% (decline)
Career
What Cost Estimators Do
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.
Other Job Titles Cost Estimators May Have
Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst, Cost Estimator, Estimating Specialist, Estimator
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Cost Estimators
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (82%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Majors Related to Career
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
