How To Become An Estimating Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is an estimating assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an estimating assistant. For example, did you know that they make an average of $22.86 an hour? That's $47,542 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -2% and produce -4,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreEstimating AssistantUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,542

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 4.42%

Black or African American 2.23%

Hispanic or Latino 13.52%

Unknown 3.81%

White 75.79%

Gender

female 65.64%

male 34.36%

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 estimating assistant

Explore estimating assistant education requirements

Most common estimating assistant degrees

Bachelor's

47.2 %

Associate

25.3 %

High School Diploma

15.9 %

Start to develop specific estimating assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Cost Estimates	19.70%
Bid Proposals	9.80%
Purchase Orders	7.16%
Worksheets	7.12%
Subcontractor Database	6.24%

Complete relevant estimating assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New estimating assistants 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 estimating assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real estimating assistant resumes.

Research estimating assistant duties and 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 your estimating assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your estimating assistant 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 estimating assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable estimating assistant resume templates

Build a professional estimating assistant 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 estimating assistant resume.