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What is a production cost estimator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
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There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a production cost estimator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $22.42 an hour? That's $46,640 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -2% and produce -4,400 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreProduction Cost EstimatorUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $46,640

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.3

Growth rate -2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.23%

Asian 3.77%

Black or African American 2.24%

Hispanic or Latino 13.77%

Unknown 3.82%

White 76.17%

Gender

female 20.93%

male 79.07%

Age - 47
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47
Stress level
6.3

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Production cost estimator career paths

Key steps to become a production cost estimator

  1. Explore production cost estimator education requirements

    Most common production cost estimator degrees

    Bachelor's

    46.0 %

    Associate

    32.0 %

    High School Diploma

    12.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific production cost estimator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cost Estimates48.44%
    Cost Effectiveness40.82%
    Repair Process6.24%
    CNC4.50%
  3. Complete relevant production cost estimator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New production cost estimators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a production cost estimator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real production cost estimator resumes.
  4. Research production cost estimator duties and responsibilities

    • Achieve and maintain high CSI ratings measure by an independent consumer rating firm.
    • Create RFQ packages for parts and services which need to be subcontract.
    • Analyze blueprints, specifications, proposals and any pertinent documentation for RFQ.
    • Obtain measurements, photos and documentation to process remotely Xactimate estimates to submit for insurance and customer approval.
  5. Apply for production cost estimator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a production cost estimator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first production cost estimator job

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Average production cost estimator salary

The average production cost estimator salary in the United States is $46,640 per year or $22 per hour. Production cost estimator salaries range between $32,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average production cost estimator salary
$46,640 Yearly
$22.42 hourly

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Production cost estimator reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2020
Cons

I have not started working in this role yet so I do not know


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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