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The differences between estimating managers and chief estimators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an estimating manager and a chief estimator. Additionally, a chief estimator has an average salary of $98,498, which is higher than the $95,887 average annual salary of an estimating manager.
The top three skills for an estimating manager include cost estimates, construction management and project management. The most important skills for a chief estimator are construction management, cost estimates, and project management.
| Estimating Manager | Chief Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $95,887 | $98,498 |
| Hourly rate | $46.10 | $47.35 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,106 | 24,116 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An estimating manager will oversee the day-to-day activities of the estimating department. Your duties typically include implementing technical estimating procedures and standards and overseeing the project estimator's work. As an estimating manager, you will be responsible for soliciting proposals and bids for labor, equipment, and material from different suppliers. Aside from these, you will be the one responsible for coordinating bid inputs from other departments. You are also responsible for reviewing and evaluating the performance of junior and senior estimators.
A Chief Estimator is responsible for managing and directing the organization's estimating functions. They also develop and implement the standards and procedures of a department.
Estimating managers and chief estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimating Manager | Chief Estimator | |
| Average salary | $95,887 | $98,498 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $149,000 | Between $67,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Pablo, CA | Concord, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Meta | Payscale |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between an estimating manager and a chief estimator in terms of educational background:
| Estimating Manager | Chief Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between estimating managers' and chief estimators' demographics:
| Estimating Manager | Chief Estimator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.7% 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% |