How To Become An Electrical Estimator: What It Is and Career Path

What is an electrical estimator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

While planning any new project, you consider a number of things, including its budget. The budget encompasses every expense of the project. You also would want to know how much money you will need to fulfill the electrical demands of the project. Perhaps you can ask an electrical estimator to give you an estimate of the cost needed to meet the electrical requirements of the project.

Electrical estimators are involved in analyzing blueprints to find out the cost and amount of the materials and fixtures as well as wire lengths required for multiple electrical projects. They are hired to improve cost-estimating procedures so that they can decrease inconsistencies between actual and estimated project costs. Expert estimators usually participate in project biddings by submitting and completing their unique proposals according to the set guidelines.

As far as their income is concerned, they make about $38.39 per hour, on average. To become one, at minimum, you need a high school degree or equivalent. But some estimators also hold bachelor's and master's degrees. Also, professionals are usually detail-oriented, have strong analytical skills and strong communication skills.

ScoreElectrical EstimatorUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,612

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.3

Growth rate -2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 4.45%

Black or African American 2.24%

Hispanic or Latino 13.64%

Unknown 3.81%

White 75.63%

Gender

female 8.88%

male 91.12%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an electrical estimator

Explore electrical estimator education requirements

Most common electrical estimator degrees

Bachelor's

47.6 %

Associate

26.2 %

High School Diploma

12.3 %

Start to develop specific electrical estimator skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	8.29%
Quantity Take-Offs	5.46%
Electrical Systems	5.40%
Value Engineering	5.35%
Electrical Projects	4.31%

Complete relevant electrical estimator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New electrical estimators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an electrical estimator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real electrical estimator resumes.

Research electrical estimator duties and responsibilities

Manage prevailing wage for payroll and prepare and submit bi-weekly certify payroll reports.
Design power, lighting, and HVAC plans.
Slash cost of installation and operations by implementing various MEP systems.
Collaborate with MEP engineering firm to prepare design-build budgets and estimates for potential clients.

Prepare your electrical estimator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your electrical estimator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an electrical estimator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable electrical estimator resume templates

Build a professional electrical estimator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your electrical estimator resume.