Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between estimators 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 estimator and a construction estimator. Additionally, a construction estimator has an average salary of $72,383, 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 construction estimator are construction management, project management, and cost estimates.
| Estimator | Construction Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $67,162 | $72,383 |
| Hourly rate | $32.29 | $34.80 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 12,567 | 37,047 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| 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 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.
Estimators and construction estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimator | Construction Estimator | |
| Average salary | $67,162 | $72,383 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $96,000 | Between $50,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | BlackRock | Amazon |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Start-up |
There are a few differences between an estimator and a construction estimator in terms of educational background:
| Estimator | Construction Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | 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 estimators' and construction estimators' demographics:
| Estimator | Construction Estimator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% | Male, 84.0% Female, 16.0% |
| 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, 13.7% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |