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Estimator vs project manager

The differences between estimators and project managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a project manager has an average salary of $91,578, 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 manager are project management, project scope, and customer service.

Estimator vs project manager overview

EstimatorProject Manager
Yearly salary$67,162$91,578
Hourly rate$32.29$44.03
Growth rate-2%8%
Number of jobs12,567167,116
Job satisfaction-4.17
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4747
Years of experience2-

What does an estimator do?

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.

What does a project manager do?

Project managers oversee a specific project related to the organization's business. They manage the whole project from inception to evaluation. They initiate planning with involved departments, follow-through on the plans, ensure smooth execution of the plans, and evaluate the project for further improvements should these be needed. In line with this, project managers also ensure that the project is cost-efficient and well within the budget. They also manage the different work teams involved in the project and ensure that things are running smoothly on this aspect as well.

Estimator vs project manager salary

Estimators and project managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

EstimatorProject Manager
Average salary$67,162$91,578
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $96,000Between $64,000 And $129,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontCalifornia
Best paying companyBlackRockThe Citadel
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between estimator and project manager education

There are a few differences between an estimator and a project manager in terms of educational background:

EstimatorProject Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoUniversity of Pennsylvania

Estimator vs project manager demographics

Here are the differences between estimators' and project managers' demographics:

EstimatorProject Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 82.1% Female, 17.9%Male, 68.9% Female, 31.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 7.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage4%10%

Differences between estimator and project manager duties and responsibilities

Estimator example responsibilities.

  • Achieve and maintain high CSI ratings measure by an independent consumer rating firm.
  • Manage prevailing wage for payroll and prepare and submit bi-weekly certify payroll reports.
  • Manage the estimating of a commercial & industrial plumbing and mechanical contracting business.
  • Facilitate all product installation and replacement of equipment; including scheduling electrical, plumbing, roofing, and crane operator subcontractors.
  • Review and modify drawings in AutoCad.
  • Coordinate with MEP consultants during the project.
    • Show more

Project manager example responsibilities.

  • Schedule and manage the GCP audit process.
  • Define, develop and manage metrics and KPIs systems for new product business group.
  • Manage the application process for the FDA medical device, minority and small business certifications.
  • Manage multiple projects and resources simultaneously while mentoring, coaching and implementing best practices, SOX and HIPAA compliance standards.
  • Lead teams using the Informatica ETL tool for the design and development of multiple financial and risk enterprise data warehouses.
  • Administer and manage Salesforce requirements.
    • Show more

Estimator vs project manager skills

Common estimator skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Cost Estimates, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Repair Process, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
Common project manager skills
  • Project Management, 23%
  • Project Scope, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Infrastructure, 5%
  • Status Reports, 4%
  • Risk Management, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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