What do they 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.
Also known as:
Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst, Cost Estimator, Estimating Specialist, Estimator
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0.9%
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Ranks #47 in job growth rate730Job Openings
Ranks #10 in net job growth
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- Bachelor's degree (32%)
- Some college, no degree (27%)
- High school diploma equivalent (21%)
- Associate's degree (10%)
- Master's degree (6%)
- Less than high school diploma (3%)
- Doctorate or Professional Degree (1%)
Most Popular Majors that prepare Cost Estimators
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#1
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Degrees Granted
136,380
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Female Students
63,904
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Male Students
72,476
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Median Starting Salary
$39,500
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#2
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Degrees Granted
35,228
-
Female Students
6,031
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Male Students
29,197
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Median Starting Salary
$63,500
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-
#3
-
Degrees Granted
24,556
-
Female Students
11,684
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Male Students
12,872
-
Median Starting Salary
$48,168
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#4
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Degrees Granted
3,918
-
Female Students
553
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Male Students
3,365
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Median Starting Salary
$59,800
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#5
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Degrees Granted
1,529
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Female Students
510
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Male Students
1,019
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Median Starting Salary
$64,763
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People in this career often have these skills:
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
People in this career often know a lot about:
- Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
- Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
People in this career often have talent in:
- Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
- Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
- Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
People in this career often do these activities:
- Estimate costs of goods or services.
- Confer with others about financial matters.
- Analyze business or financial data.
- Monitor financial indicators.
- Assess the cost effectiveness of products, projects, or services.
- Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.
- Establish business management methods.
- Negotiate agreements to resolve disputes.
- Develop business or financial information systems.
- Prepare financial documents.
- Collect data about project sites.
- Inspect work sites to determine condition or necessary repairs.
- Maintain data in information systems or databases.
This page includes data from:
Career data: O*NET 28.3 Database
by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (“USDOL/ETA”). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA
Occupation statistics: USDOL U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics
Videos: CareerOneStop, USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development
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