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The differences between estimators and estimating managers 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 an estimating manager. Additionally, an estimating manager has an average salary of $95,887, 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 an estimating manager are cost estimates, construction management, and project management.
| Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $67,162 | $95,887 |
| Hourly rate | $32.29 | $46.10 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 12,567 | 11,106 |
| 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.
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.
Estimators and estimating managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Average salary | $67,162 | $95,887 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $96,000 | Between $61,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Pablo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Vermont |
| Best paying company | BlackRock | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between an estimator and an estimating manager in terms of educational background:
| Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| 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 estimating managers' demographics:
| Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% |
| 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, 13.6% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |