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The differences between estimators 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 estimator and a chief estimator. Additionally, a chief estimator has an average salary of $98,498, which is higher than the $67,162 average annual salary of an estimator.
The top three skills for an estimator include customer service, cost estimates and project management. The most important skills for a chief estimator are construction management, cost estimates, and project management.
| Estimator | Chief Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $67,162 | $98,498 |
| Hourly rate | $32.29 | $47.35 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 12,567 | 24,116 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Estimators work in construction and manufacturing businesses to estimate the operational costs of the company. It is the responsibility of the estimators to compile the estimates of the products and services. They prepare work for estimation through blueprints, specifications, proposals, and its associated documents. It is also expected from them to find their potential clients' needs and wants, research equipment and materials, and calculate labor costs. The organization, time management, and effective communication are the skills expected from a good estimator.
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.
Estimators and chief estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimator | Chief Estimator | |
| Average salary | $67,162 | $98,498 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $96,000 | Between $67,000 And $142,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Concord, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Vermont |
| Best paying company | BlackRock | Payscale |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between an estimator and a chief estimator in terms of educational background:
| Estimator | Chief Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | 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 estimators' and chief estimators' demographics:
| Estimator | Chief Estimator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% | Male, 94.7% Female, 5.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.6% 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% |