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Job outlook for construction estimators in the United States
Construction estimator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected construction estimator job growth rate is -2% from 2018-2028.
About -4,400 new jobs for construction estimators are projected over the next decade.
Construction estimator salaries have increased 8% for construction estimators in the last 5 years.
There are over 111,438 construction estimators currently employed in the United States.
There are 37,047 active construction estimator job openings in the US.
The average construction estimator salary is $72,383.
Are construction estimator jobs in demand?
Construction estimator job and salary trends over time
Construction estimator jobs over time
Construction estimator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 111,438 | 0.03% |
| 2020 | 106,324 | 0.03% |
| 2019 | 111,998 | 0.03% |
| 2018 | 112,852 | 0.03% |
| 2017 | 112,478 | 0.03% |
Average construction estimator salary over time
Construction estimator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $72,383 | $34.80 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $70,905 | $34.09 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $69,591 | $33.46 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $68,580 | $32.97 | +2.1% |
| 2021 | $67,146 | $32.28 | +2.3% |
Construction estimator jobs by state
Most common states for construction estimators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 87 | 13% |
| 2 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 70 | 9% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 71 | 7% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 57 | 7% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 39 | 7% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 316 | 6% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 176 | 6% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 47 | 6% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 35 | 6% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 411 | 5% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 205 | 5% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 158 | 5% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 101 | 5% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 85 | 5% |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 69 | 5% |
| 16 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 68 | 5% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 49 | 5% |
| 18 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 308 | 4% |
| 19 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 244 | 4% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 228 | 4% |
Most common cities for construction estimators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Novi | 6 | 10% | $75,742 |
| 2 | Saint Louis Park | 3 | 6% | $72,441 |
| 3 | Bethesda | 2 | 3% | $81,501 |
| 4 | Detroit | 16 | 2% | $75,876 |
| 5 | Minneapolis | 8 | 2% | $72,493 |
| 6 | Bowie | 1 | 2% | $81,629 |
| 7 | Chicago | 39 | 1% | $80,093 |
| 8 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $62,810 |
| 9 | Miami | 3 | 1% | $59,433 |
| 10 | Grand Rapids | 2 | 1% | $74,889 |
| 11 | Scottsdale | 2 | 1% | $65,728 |
| 12 | Arlington Heights | 1 | 1% | $80,048 |
| 13 | Bend | 1 | 1% | $84,621 |
| 14 | Bossier City | 1 | 1% | $61,211 |
| 15 | Centennial | 1 | 1% | $73,656 |
| 16 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $97,878 |
| 17 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $73,653 |
| 18 | Phoenix | 2 | 0% | $65,774 |
| 19 | Baltimore | 1 | 0% | $81,803 |
Construction Estimator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of construction estimator experts
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Kennesaw State University
Arizona State University
University of Oklahoma
National Tile Contractors Association
University of Texas
Dr. John Cabage
Chair, Associate ProfessorSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
What general advice would you give to a Construction Estimator?
Dr. John Cabage: Along with the traditional approaches in general education, a graduate must embrace technology changes. In the future, we will see robotics prevalent in construction work. We already see the obsolescence of blueprints in favor of portable computers. We see the growing contribution of technology with constructors using virtual and augmented reality, with artificial intelligence as tools for preparing bids, estimates, schedule, visualization, and quality checks.
What Construction Estimator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. John Cabage: The Construction Industry is robust and vital for the health of our nation. The industry is growing and will continue to grow in the future. Projects are becoming larger and more complex requiring teamwork and collaboration from partners of all walks both internal and external to the construction community.
Neil Opfer
Assoc. Professor - UNLV Civil & Environmental Engineering & Construction DepartmentWhat Construction Estimator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Neil Opfer: First off, know what competitive salaries are in your area of the country for the type of job you want as you never have to recover from a good start. Some companies, for instance, will offer salaries that are simply not competitive. As an example, a few years ago, we had one CM graduate starting at $70K per year at one firm (heavy-highway contractor) whereas another grad had been offered $42K per year for a commercial flooring contractor. That $42K was simply not competitive with the market whether that employer offering that salary knew it or not. Also, compare offers versus area living costs. Use cost-of-living calculators such as at bankrate.com If you, using this bankrate.com tool, were offered one job in Las Vegas NV at $80,000 per year versus another job opportunity in Los Angeles CA, you would need $122,000 per year as a comparable salary. Remember to measure yourself as to earning that salary on a regular basis. Don't take jobs where a bonus is promised to make up for a bad salary. Example here is taking a Superintendent Job where your Job ended up profitable but other jobs run by others overall didn't so taking that lower salary and not getting that bonus didn't work out so well. Again, benchmark yourself against what others in the industry in that same area are actually getting paid. If you truly feel you deserve a raise where you're at but can't get it you may need to change jobs to get to a higher salary scale. But that firm offering above-market salaries may be doing so because of internal problems (bad bosses, poor working conditions, insane hours, insane understaffing, etc.) so look before you leap. It's a given that to be successful as a working professional in construction, one cannot just work a 40-hour week. But you shouldn't be working 7-10s or more on a regular basis either. Again, through networking you perhaps can find out who are the 'bad employers.'
What will help Construction Estimators increase their earning potential?
Neil Opfer: Certainly, Artificial Intelligence or AI is a huge buzzword across all occupations. The experts I read in this area are all over the map in that (1) AI will put huge waves of people out of work, (2) AI will in some 'Terminator-type World' mean the death of civilization as we know it, or (3) fears of AI taking over the World are way overblown and AI will be a useful tool to improve productivity. Certainly have heard from several friends in the industry the usefulness of AI in developing safety plans for a jobsite, etc., etc. So AI is number 1 with continuing areas such BIM/computerization important, sustainability/green building important, and lean construction/reducing out-of-control construction costs important. Also we need to attract a quality craft labor force to construction and so better working conditions (cleaner jobs, clean restroom-facilities, better management) and better marketing to potential employees will be key success drivers.
What general advice would you give to a Construction Estimator?
Neil Opfer: Remember that in a CM Program you have spent 4 years of your life (or more) studying books and learning the "theory of construction." But this is the start of your education and not the end. The best quote here (not from me) is "Success is a journey, not a destination." Sadly I have classmates that I graduated with years ago who, once they graduated, never cracked a book. Also remember that construction in many respects is an incredibly-varied field and you will, perhaps if working for a GC or a CM firm, never know as much as that electrician or plumber knows about their craft or that trade contractor knows about their specialty. But insofar as possible you need to learn and absorb as much as possible about these other areas. Otherwise you'll lead a life of ignorance and designers and contractors will, sadly, take advantage of your ignorance. When I was in college (1974), my Dorm President told me, "Everyone is ignorant about something but the stupid person works at being ignorant." Don't work at being ignorant. Also, respect everyone on the job from laborer, carpenter, on up because you can learn something from everyone along the way in your career. You, remember, are lucky in that as a college grad you're in the 37% or so of the U.S. population with a college degree but CM is a STEM field because of the math, physics, and construction-science coursework you take. Only 18% of the U.S. population have STEM degrees so you're in even a more select field with your technical education. But those on the construction site who did not have an opportunity to go to college may resent you or they've had bad experiences with college grads who "lorded over them" the fact that they were a college grad and the craft personnel on the job were not. Advice to a new college graduate in CM would be to remember (not original with me but a great axiom) that (1) you are hired for your technical skills, (2) promoted for your leadership/managerial skills, and (3) fired for your lack of people skills. Do a good job at whatever you do and look for opportunities to improve processes when possible. Realize that as a new grad you'll often get the jobs that more senior people don't want. Also, realize that your job is partly "paying your dues" to get the chance at more interesting jobs in the future. Learn to network with others in your firm and those at other firms including being involved in professional associations and civic/charitable work. Ensure that your supervisors know the extras (prof associations, civic work) you are doing outside of work. Finally the old adage of a "sound mind in a sound body" means to continually improve yourself on both a mental and a physical basis.
Irish Horsey Ph.D.
Interim Chair of the Department of Construction Management and Assistant ProfessorKennesaw State University
Department of Construction Management
What skills stand out on Construction Estimator resumes?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Construction Managers are problem solvers. Employers seek analytical, technical, and effective communication skills from potential employees for construction management positions. Whether building a skyscraper or single-family home, there are always groups of people performing numerous construction activities and tasks simultaneously on a construction site. Therefore, resumes that show time, cost, and, most importantly, safety management skills are most desired by employers.
What soft skills should all Construction Estimators possess?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Leadership and communication are among the most essential skills of a construction manager. Construction managers are responsible for ensuring that projects are built safely on schedule, within budget, and to the quality outlined in the drawings and specifications. To fulfill these responsibilities, construction managers must lead multiple teams, including primary, secondary, and third party players, on a construction project through effective oral and written communications.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Construction Estimators?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: Construction Managers are project managers with specialized technical skills. Construction managers' most important technical skills are print reading, estimating, scheduling, project and technology management.
What skills will help Construction Estimators earn the most?
Irish Horsey Ph.D.: The key to the highest earning potential in construction is experience. However, a potential employee that can show success in managing people, budgets, and schedules while using the latest tools in construction technology such as drones, building information modeling (BIM), smart devices, computer-automated design (CAD), and cloud-based project controls software is likely to be more attractive to employers. Construction projects are complex and risky. Someone with the technical skills to foresee problems and minimize risks is invaluable to an employer.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Construction Estimators?
Kristen Parrish Ph.D.: The construction market, locally, is doing quite well, particularly in the industrial sector (e.g., warehouses). So, I think that in terms of ability to be employed, no, there is relatively little impact in the construction industry. However, I think that the enduring impacts are the ways that we do business, even in construction, have changed. For instance, inspections can happen remotely using video conferencing software, and in some cases, augmented reality. People are also working from home more -- this is the case for project managers as well as office staff for projects (i.e., construction administrators). Some of these changes will likely persist after COVID is under control; others may change back.
What technical skills for a Construction Estimator stand out to employers?
Kristen Parrish Ph.D.: This is pretty dependent on the job that you're going for, but I think that one technical skill that employers in construction look for is the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely. This will be critical onsite and in the office -- you need to demonstrate an understanding of how a project comes together, and this requires the ability to communicate clearly. Beyond the communication, a technical understanding of material behavior (i.e., concrete curing, crane picks, etc.).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Construction Estimators to find work opportunities?
Ben F. Bigelow Ph.D.: There are opportunities all over the U.S. in construction; it really just depends on which industry segment a graduate goes to work in. As a general rule, the strongest economies have the greatest demand. I have heard comparisons of DFW being this century, what Detroit was in the last century, and the opportunities in that market suggest that's accurate.
How do you envision technology impacting Construction Estimators in the next 5 years?
Ben F. Bigelow Ph.D.: BIM will continue to gain market share and become a standard part of a project; I also think we'll see increased use of scanning for progress updates. I'm not a believer in robots yet, they may impact the industry in 10 or 20 years, but they aren't there yet.
What type of skills will young Construction Estimators need?
Becky Serbin: Tile contractors are hiring across the U.S. and using several different online job posting sites. We even have an online form that those interested in the trade can fill out. When we receive them, they are forwarded to members in their area. If the person is located in an area where there is a union presence, they can even contact that office for job opportunities.
What Construction Estimator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adeeba Raheem Ph.D.: Prioritize obtaining relevant certifications early on in your career. These credentials can enhance your qualifications and marketability, potentially leading to higher starting salaries. As you gain experience, strive to take on leadership roles and demonstrate your ability to manage projects, teams, and resources effectively. Leadership skills such as decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution are highly valued in the construction industry. Ultimately, remember that success in construction is not solely about expertise; it also hinges on upholding integrity, diligence, and ethical standards.