Chief estimator vs estimating assistant

The differences between chief estimators and estimating assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a chief estimator and an estimating assistant. Additionally, a chief estimator has an average salary of $98,498, which is higher than the $47,542 average annual salary of an estimating assistant.

The top three skills for a chief estimator include construction management, cost estimates and project management. The most important skills for an estimating assistant are cost estimates, bid proposals, and purchase orders.

Chief estimator vs estimating assistant overview

	Chief Estimator	Estimating Assistant
Yearly salary	$98,498	$47,542
Hourly rate	$47.35	$22.86
Growth rate	-2%	-2%
Number of jobs	24,116	18,548
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	2	2

Chief estimator vs estimating assistant salary

Chief estimators and estimating assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chief Estimator	Estimating Assistant
Average salary	$98,498	$47,542
Salary range	Between $67,000 And $142,000	Between $34,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City	Concord, CA	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	Vermont	Vermont
Best paying company	Payscale	Granite Construction
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between chief estimator and estimating assistant education

There are a few differences between a chief estimator and an estimating assistant in terms of educational background:

	Chief Estimator	Estimating Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Chief estimator vs estimating assistant demographics

Here are the differences between chief estimators' and estimating assistants' demographics:

	Chief Estimator	Estimating Assistant
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3%	Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%	Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between chief estimator and estimating assistant duties and responsibilities

Chief estimator example responsibilities.

Manage team of quoting specialists and control the overall quotation processes for all RFQ's.
Prepare equipment & HVAC installation estimates.
Conduct an audits program on an HVAC subcontractor that save the client $120m in back charges.
Develop and update Primavera scheduling and cost-control for electrical and mechanical activities in accordance with owner and general contractor planning strategies.
Order parts and supplies from various vendors, OEM and aftermarket.
Negotiate with OEM cost estimators on all new business pricing to finalize product pricing quotes.

Estimating assistant example responsibilities.

Manage the estimating of a commercial & industrial plumbing and mechanical contracting business.
Perform equipment and material takeoff of HVAC blueprint drawings.
Perform typing of letters, RFI's, filing, and certify payroll.
Receive phone calls or email from potential clients who have a RFP (request for proposal).
Prepare all invitations to bids, addendum and RFI's notifications, confirm subcontractors bidding interest and pricing.
Perform civil takeoffs, produce estimates, and create high level schedules that are submitted to clients in response to RFP.

Chief estimator vs estimating assistant skills

Common chief estimator skills

Construction Management, 11%
Cost Estimates, 8%
Project Management, 8%
Design-Build, 7%
General Contractors, 6%
Value Engineering, 6%

Common estimating assistant skills

Cost Estimates, 20%
Bid Proposals, 10%
Purchase Orders, 7%
Worksheets, 7%
Subcontractor Database, 6%
Sub Contractors, 5%

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Chief Estimator vs Estimating Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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