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The differences between project controls specialists and cost engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-8 years to become a project controls specialist, becoming a cost engineer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a cost engineer has an average salary of $87,901, which is higher than the $85,159 average annual salary of a project controls specialist.
The top three skills for a project controls specialist include project controls, project management and work breakdown structure. The most important skills for a cost engineer are project management, cost analysis, and construction management.
| Project Controls Specialist | Cost Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $85,159 | $87,901 |
| Hourly rate | $40.94 | $42.26 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 21,484 | 65,278 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 46 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 8 | 6 |
A project controls specialist is responsible for establishing project management procedures to achieve project goals and objectives by following clients' specifications and requirements within the budget limitations and timetable. Project controls specialists implement strategic techniques to mitigate potential project risks and promote maximum productivity by conducting regular meetings to monitor the project's progress. They also coordinate with the clients for the updates, as well as informing them of any plan adjustments. A project controls specialist maintains strict quality control processes to ensure the efficient development of the project for timely deliverables.
A cost engineer is responsible for projecting cost and expenses reports for the production process, identify and mitigate risks, and develop strategic techniques to reduce the excessive financial loss for project buildings. Cost engineers conduct data and statistical analysis to measure time deliverables and quality checks to ensure profitability and adherence to business objectives. They research and negotiate materials from trusted suppliers and vendors with high-quality products that would meet construction designs and client specifications.
Project controls specialists and cost engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Controls Specialist | Cost Engineer | |
| Average salary | $85,159 | $87,901 |
| Salary range | Between $60,000 And $119,000 | Between $64,000 And $120,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Rhode Island |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Energy |
There are a few differences between a project controls specialist and a cost engineer in terms of educational background:
| Project Controls Specialist | Cost Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | Georgia Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between project controls specialists' and cost engineers' demographics:
| Project Controls Specialist | Cost Engineer | |
| Average age | 46 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7% | Male, 74.1% Female, 25.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.4% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 6% |