← Back to Careers
Cost Estimators
Business and Financial Operations · SOC 13-1051
0.0% AI Exposure — Low
$78,740
Median Annual Salary
Bright ↗
O*NET Outlook
24,200
Proj. Annual Openings
224,220
Employment (OEWS 2025)
100/100
AI Resiliency Score
AI exposure from the Anthropic Economic Index (2025); salary from BLS; skills from O*NET. See /sources.
AI Exposure Analysis
AI Exposure0.0%
AI Resiliency100/100
Exposure BandLow
Sector Avg. Exposure17.3%
Top Skills
1.Reading Comprehension
2.Mathematics
3.Speaking
4.Active Listening
5.Critical Thinking
O*NET occupation profile
What this work involves
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.
Common titles: Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer
Representative Tasks
- •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.
Detailed Work Activities
- •Estimate costs of goods or services.
- •Analyze business or financial data.
- •Confer with others about financial matters.
- •Assess the cost effectiveness of products, projects, or services.
- •Monitor financial indicators.
Tools & Technologies
Autodesk AutoCAD · hotAutodesk Revit · hotMicrosoft Project · hotMicrosoft Word · hotOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management · hotProcore software · hotConEst Electrical FormulasConEst SureCountConstruction Management Software ProEstCPR Visual Estimator
Employment Projections & AI Exposure
15
Occupations Shown
26.0%
Avg AI Exposure
9
Bright Outlook
Sector Comparison
| Metric | This Career | Sector Average |
|---|---|---|
| AI Exposure | 0.0% | 17.3% |
| Outlook | Bright ↗ | 50% Bright |
| Median Salary | $78,740 | N/A |
| AI Resiliency | 100/100 | N/A |