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The differences between estimators and project 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 project estimator. Additionally, a project estimator has an average salary of $70,496, 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 project estimator are project management, cost estimates, and construction projects.
| Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $67,162 | $70,496 |
| Hourly rate | $32.29 | $33.89 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 12,567 | 56,513 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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.
Project estimators are professionals who are responsible for calculating the total costs that are associated with a construction project or the development of a new product. These estimators are required to monitor project cost and quality construction development while conducting formal presentations to clients about data findings, material takeoff, and project costs. They are required to work with the project management team to develop project accounting and bill-of-materials process. Project estimators must also attend pre-bid meetings and site walk to determine the scope of work and finalize proposals for review by the client.
Estimators and project estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Average salary | $67,162 | $70,496 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $96,000 | Between $48,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Vermont |
| Best paying company | BlackRock | Varian Medical Systems |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an estimator and a project estimator in terms of educational background:
| Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 project estimators' demographics:
| Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.1% Female, 17.9% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| 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, 2.3% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |