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The differences between estimators and estimator project 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 estimator project manager. Additionally, an estimator project manager has an average salary of $73,546, 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 estimator project manager are general contractors, construction projects, and sub contractors.
| Estimator | Estimator Project Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $67,162 | $73,546 |
| Hourly rate | $32.29 | $35.36 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 12,567 | 112,100 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| 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 estimator project manager is responsible for analyzing cost estimates by gathering cost information from suppliers and other third-party vendors. An estimator project manager must have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills, especially with measurement accuracy and evaluating important project metrics. Estimator project managers research the general market pricing of materials and labor costs, estimate production times, and follow the project timetable without compromising the quality and the client's specifications. They create estimate reports and risk analyses to discuss with the client and the project team.
Estimators and estimator project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimator | Estimator Project Manager | |
| Average salary | $67,162 | $73,546 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $96,000 | Between $52,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | BlackRock | Intel |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between an estimator and an estimator project manager in terms of educational background:
| Estimator | Estimator Project 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 estimator project managers' demographics:
| Estimator | Estimator Project Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% | Male, 92.4% Female, 7.6% |
| 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, 13.4% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |