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The differences between estimating managers and construction 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 construction estimator. Additionally, an estimating manager has an average salary of $95,887, which is higher than the $72,383 average annual salary of a construction estimator.
The top three skills for an estimating manager include cost estimates, construction management and project management. The most important skills for a construction estimator are construction management, project management, and cost estimates.
| Estimating Manager | Construction Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $95,887 | $72,383 |
| Hourly rate | $46.10 | $34.80 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,106 | 37,047 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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 construction estimator is responsible for determining project requirements, estimating metrics, including cost-analysis procedures and area inspection to spot potential inconsistencies, mitigate risks, and address production gaps. Construction estimators work closely with the engineers to identify construction requirements and specifications for forecasting. They also coordinate with construction suppliers and third-party vendors to negotiate pricing contracts for high-quality materials according to budget limitations. A construction estimator reports findings to management, recommending solutions and adjustments to achieve desired output and deadlines.
Estimating managers and construction estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimating Manager | Construction Estimator | |
| Average salary | $95,887 | $72,383 |
| Salary range | Between $61,000 And $149,000 | Between $50,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Pablo, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an estimating manager and a construction estimator in terms of educational background:
| Estimating Manager | Construction Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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 construction estimators' demographics:
| Estimating Manager | Construction Estimator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% |
| 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, 13.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |