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How to hire an assistant estimator/project manager

Assistant estimator/project manager hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring assistant estimator/project managers in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire an assistant estimator/project manager is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per assistant estimator/project manager on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 175,203 assistant estimator/project managers in the US and 58,976 job openings.
  • Fort Worth, TX, has the highest demand for assistant estimator/project managers, with 2 job openings.
  • New York, NY has the highest concentration of assistant estimator/project managers.

How to hire an assistant estimator/project manager, step by step

To hire an assistant estimator/project manager, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire an assistant estimator/project manager:

Here's a step-by-step assistant estimator/project manager hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an assistant estimator/project manager job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant estimator/project manager
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The assistant estimator/project manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an assistant estimator/project manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an assistant estimator/project manager that fits the bill.

    The following list breaks down different types of assistant estimator/project managers and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Assistant Estimator/Project ManagerDescriptionHourly rate
    Assistant Estimator/Project ManagerCost estimators collect and analyze data in order to estimate the time, money, materials, and labor required to manufacture a product, construct a building, or provide a service. They generally specialize in a particular product or industry.$23-44
    Project SuperintendentThe construction or project superintendent's role is to oversee the operations of construction sites, from the planning phase to completion. They have varied duties and responsibilities based on specific projects that include scheduling and budgeting, communicating and negotiating with external partners, and acquiring materials and equipment... Show more$34-63
    EstimatorEstimators work in construction and manufacturing businesses to estimate the operational costs of the company. It is the responsibility of the estimators to compile the estimates of the products and services... Show more$22-46
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Subcontractor Bids
    • Shop Drawings
    • Construction Projects
    • Purchase Orders
    • Project Scope
    • Bid Proposals
    • RFI
    • Cost Estimates
    • CAD
    • Construction Management
    • Project Management
    • HVAC
    • Bid Process
    • Assist Project
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage smaller projects including RFP's, scope of work, construction documents, contracts and schedules.
    • Manage multiple commercial HVAC constructions jobs simultaneously.
    • Manage QA activities and maintain up-to-date quality control system.
    • Employ as an HVAC estimator and assistant project manager for mechanical contractor.
    • Experience being a member of the team involve in RFP s responses and formal presentation for a project.
    • Issue RFI's for any inquires that cannot be solved/answered in the field that requires the Engineer/Architects approval and/or opinion.
    More assistant estimator/project manager duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the assistant estimator/project manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. An assistant estimator/project manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for an assistant estimator/project manager in Nevada may be lower than in Massachusetts, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level assistant estimator/project manager. Additionally, an assistant estimator/project manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average assistant estimator/project manager salary

    $67,773yearly

    $32.58 hourly rate

    Entry-level assistant estimator/project manager salary
    $49,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 19, 2026

    Average assistant estimator/project manager salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$94,074$45
    2District of Columbia$87,220$42
    3Maryland$78,591$38
    4Pennsylvania$73,774$35
    5Michigan$72,541$35
    6New York$72,514$35
    7New Jersey$67,701$33
    8Texas$59,031$28

    Average assistant estimator/project manager salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1B.R. Fries Constructors$68,933$33.14
    2Byrne$66,675$32.062
    3Texas AirSystems$65,789$31.6312
    4Sullivan & McLaughlin$65,759$31.61
    5D'Annunzio Group$64,316$30.92
    6Drake Co$63,163$30.37
    7Unified Door & Hardware Group$62,399$30.00
    8Allstate$62,263$29.937
    9Northpoint$58,577$28.168
    10Adecco$56,837$27.337
  4. Writing an assistant estimator/project manager job description

    A job description for an assistant estimator/project manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an assistant estimator/project manager job description:

    Assistant estimator/project manager job description example

    Energetic, motivated, highly-skilled hotel renovation experts that deliver major transformations of branded hotels (Hilton, Marriott, IHG) across the United States. We are a team of like-minded people that work together to carry one of the fastest growing private company in America (Inc. 5000).

    What we offer:

    • Industry-leading healthcare, Vision, Dental, FSA, HSA, and Life Insurance!
    • 401(k) - matched and fully vested
    • Competitive salary with an expectation of a fast-track for career progression and promotion
    • Generous time-off; Team-building events; Travel incentives; Matching charitable donations and opportunities for volunteerism.

    The Assistant Project Manager (Hotel Construction) takes part in all aspects of a project, including scope of work development, design, planning, pre-construction, construction, close out, and post follow- up. The ideal candidate has one to five years of experience in construction and renovations . The Assistant Project Manager will ensure the scope is meticulously executed and quality is consistently maintained. They will ensure all parties execute the scope of work, contract, brand standards, and quality requirements. The candidate will be able to thrive in high pressure environments while utilizing the utmost level of problem solving. They will effectively manage relationships with sub-contractors, vendors, employees and support staff. Hotel Rehabs is seeking a highly-skilled, energetic, motivated candidate to assume the position.

    Role Responsbilities:

    • Adhere to major hotel brand standards (Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, etc.) with the skillset to understand and facilitate hotel operations
    • Build phasing schedules; enforcing, monitoring and adapting project schedules; and communicating progress, delays, and other conflicts
    • Read plans, perform take offs, and foresee issues
    • Create rooms out of order matrices
    • Manage change orders and change order logs with in-field management and ownership
    • Run and manage on-going and final punch lists with superintendents and field management
    • Manage all aspects of project close out including final budget analysis, change order closeout, and on-site project completion checklist
    • Coordinate FF&E/material receiving, inventory, & installation
    • Manage subcontractor and vendor relations from pre-construction and project kick-off through project close-out, utilizing cohesive schedules and daily task lists
    • Monitor and communicate scopes of work for individual sub-contractors
    • Execute owner contract, SOW, AFP’s, SOV’s, and lien waivers
    • Instigate and drive regular meetings with hotel ownership
    • Ensure safety and OSHA compliance with infield teams
    • Maintain clean, safe working conditions

    Competencies:

    • Deep understanding of critical path development
    • Experience in high levels of client management
    • Proficiency with all AIA documents, RFIs, and submittals
    • Experience using PlanGrid and/or other construction software

    Requirements

    • Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture or similar experience
    • 1-5 years of hotel construction project management experience and/or tenant improvement experience
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel
    • Ability to travel up to 25% in the role
    • Experience in traveling construction groups preferred
    • Experience with PlanGrid and Bluebeam preferred
    • Willingness to work in a hybrid in/office/remote setting

    Hotel Rehabs is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

    Powered by JazzHR

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  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right assistant estimator/project manager for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your assistant estimator/project manager job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant estimator/project manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit assistant estimator/project managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant estimator/project manager

    Once you've decided on a perfect assistant estimator/project manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new assistant estimator/project manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire an assistant estimator/project manager?

Hiring an assistant estimator/project manager comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting assistant estimator/project managers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of assistant estimator/project manager recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

The median annual salary for assistant estimator/project managers is $67,773 in the US. However, the cost of assistant estimator/project manager hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring an assistant estimator/project manager for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $23 and $44 an hour.

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