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Estimator vs sales person

The differences between estimators and sales people can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an estimator has an average salary of $67,162, which is higher than the $42,010 average annual salary of a sales person.

The top three skills for an estimator include customer service, cost estimates and project management. The most important skills for a sales person are basic math, phone calls, and POS.

Estimator vs sales person overview

EstimatorSales Person
Yearly salary$67,162$42,010
Hourly rate$32.29$20.20
Growth rate-2%-
Number of jobs12,567378,132
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4741
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 sales person do?

A salesperson is in charge of ensuring that the products, goods, or services of the company get sold to customers. They are trained to market the products well, understand what the customer needs, and find the product that best fits the customer's needs. As such, the salesperson should be familiar with all of the company's products and should be able to explain the features of each. They should know how to approach customers and to close out sales. Salespersons are expected to have good communication, interpersonal, and persuasion skills.

Estimator vs sales person salary

Estimators and sales people have different pay scales, as shown below.

EstimatorSales Person
Average salary$67,162$42,010
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $96,000Between $14,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCOceanside, NY
Highest paying stateVermontCalifornia
Best paying companyBlackRockDouglas Elliman
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between estimator and sales person education

There are a few differences between an estimator and a sales person in terms of educational background:

EstimatorSales Person
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeCalifornia Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo-

Estimator vs sales person demographics

Here are the differences between estimators' and sales people' demographics:

EstimatorSales Person
Average age4741
Gender ratioMale, 82.1% Female, 17.9%Male, 70.5% Female, 29.5%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.3% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage4%7%

Differences between estimator and sales person 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

Sales person example responsibilities.

  • Clean CDL and aptitude for relationship building lead to point of sales position.
  • Manage product deliveries, and maintain overall orderliness and cleanliness of facility to optimize customer experience.
  • Perform sales responsibilities utilizing mobile POS system while marketing company membership services, ensuring client satisfaction.
  • Gain in-depth knowledge of Chrysler vehicles and differentiate them to existing and potential customers.
  • Assist customers in load calculations, design, and implementation of a variety of HVAC systems.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations and promote products at meetings and continuing education programs
  • Show more

Estimator vs sales person skills

Common estimator skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Cost Estimates, 6%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Repair Process, 4%
  • Work Ethic, 4%
  • Construction Projects, 4%
Common sales person skills
  • Basic Math, 27%
  • Phone Calls, 18%
  • POS, 18%
  • Cleanliness, 16%
  • Math, 13%
  • Customer Service, 3%

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