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.
Estimator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real estimator resumes:
- 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.
- Programme welding robots and CNC cutting equipment.
- Specialize in MEP civil and building relate matters.
- Develop and maintain site logistics plan with superintendent.
- Set up, operate, and maintain CNC machinery.
- Create payroll reports, expense reports and coding for accounting.
- Design /build and quoted projects to NEC and owner specifications.
- Assist with the logistics of projects in order to complete them successfully.
- Execute the full range of estimating functions from conceptual stage through GMP.
- Maintain and update the scopes of work for these packages through finalize GMP.
Estimator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Estimators are proficient in Customer Service, Cost Estimates, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Estimators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 17%
Utilized exceptional product knowledge, customer service and integrity to consistently exceed identified sales goals in the carpet department.
- Cost Estimates, 6%
Interpreted construction documents; organized and prepared quantity take-offs and cost estimates for commercial and industrial subcontract work of various kinds.
- Project Management, 6%
Project Management of Miscellaneous Metal projects with responsibilities included scheduling, fabrication, hiring sub-contractors, pulling permits and accounts receivables.
- Repair Process, 4%
Write estimates for customers and dealerships *Schedule workload *Monitor repair process/ create supplements
- Work Ethic, 4%
Recognized in 1st and 3rd quarters of 2015 for work ethic and accuracy in claims handling, resulting in reduced costs.
- Construction Projects, 4%
Received comprehensive training and professional development in quantity takeoffs and was responsible for supervising plan room for major construction projects.
"customer service," "cost estimates," and "project management" are among the most common skills that estimators use at work. You can find even more estimator responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for an estimator to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "cost estimators must review and evaluate different construction and manufacturing methods to find cost-effective options." Additionally, an estimator resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed and produced project bid estimates by reviewing and evaluating power and lighting construction drawings. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for estimators to perform their duties. For an example of how estimator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "cost estimators must be precise, because minor changes may greatly affect the overall expense of a project or product." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an estimator: "detail construction drawings according to code (ibc2016). ".
Math skills. A big part of what estimators do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to estimator responsibilities because "cost estimators need excellent math skills to calculate labor, material, and equipment estimates for construction projects." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical estimator tasks: "coordinated with the design and construction management departments to accurately compile quantitative price analyses from schematic designs or final construction drawings. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for estimator responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of estimators all the time, as "cost estimators must plan in advance and work efficiently to meet their deadlines." An excerpt from a real estimator resume shows how this skill is central to what an estimator does: "prepared quotes for jobs using specifications and architectural drawings supplied by dealers/customers by their deadlines. "
The three companies that hire the most estimators are:
- GPAC746 estimators jobs
- AutoNation304 estimators jobs
- Caliber Collision283 estimators jobs
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Compare different estimators
Estimator vs. Assistant estimator/project manager
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, estimator responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "good time management," "repair process," and "work ethic." Meanwhile a typical assistant estimator/project manager has skills in areas such as "subcontractor bids," "construction management," "assist project," and "mep." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Assistant estimator/project managers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $69,857. In contrast, estimators make the biggest average salary, $70,701, in the manufacturing industry.The education levels that assistant estimator/project managers earn slightly differ from estimators. In particular, assistant estimator/project managers are 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an estimator. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Estimator vs. Estimator/project coordinator
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, estimator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "good time management," "project management," and "repair process." Meanwhile, an estimator/project coordinator has duties that require skills in areas such as "sub contractors," "bid invitations," "project coordination," and "payroll." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Estimator/project coordinators may earn a lower salary than estimators, but estimator/project coordinators earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $57,269. On the other hand, estimators receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $70,701.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Estimator/project coordinators tend to reach similar levels of education than estimators. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Estimator vs. Estimating assistant
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, estimators are more likely to have skills like "customer service," "good time management," "project management," and "repair process." But a estimating assistant is more likely to have skills like "worksheets," "subcontractor database," "sub contractors," and "bid bonds."
Estimating assistants make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $56,112. On the other hand, estimators are paid the highest salary in the manufacturing industry, with average annual pay of $70,701.Most estimating assistants achieve a similar degree level compared to estimators. For example, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Estimator vs. Crating and moving estimator
Types of estimator
Updated January 8, 2025
