How To Become A Project Estimator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a project estimator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Project estimators evaluate manufacturing procedures to assess the time, resources, and labor needed for a project. Their forecasts take several considerations into account, including waste allowance, poor weather, delays in delivery, and other variables that can increase costs and reduce benefit. Additionally, they review proposals, blueprints, and other documents to estimate the necessary resources to implement a project.

Even though most senior estimators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED. Established experience as a project supervisor raises your odds of finding a position as a project estimator.

Project estimators in the United States make an average salary of $72,244 per year or $34.73 per hour. However, this figure can vary significantly depending upon your experience, skills, or organization.

ScoreProject EstimatorUS Average

Salary

5.5

Avg. Salary $70,496

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 4.54%

Black or African American 2.26%

Hispanic or Latino 14.10%

Unknown 3.82%

White 75.04%

Gender

female 13.63%

male 86.37%

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

Key steps to become a project estimator

Explore project estimator education requirements

Most common project estimator degrees

Bachelor's

61.5 %

Associate

20.9 %

Master's

7.1 %

Start to develop specific project estimator skills

Skills	Percentages
Project Management	10.45%
Cost Estimates	7.71%
Construction Projects	5.31%
Renewable Energy	4.94%
HVAC	3.78%

Complete relevant project estimator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New project 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 project estimator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real project estimator resumes.

Gain additional project estimator certifications

Project estimator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific project estimator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for project estimators include Certified Agile Developer (CAD) and Certified Construction Manager (CCM).

More About Certifications

Research project estimator duties and responsibilities

Estimate, sell and manage residential & commercial plumbing, heating and cooling systems.
Estimate costs of HVAC temperature control systems utilizing mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineering plans.
Obtain measurements, photos and documentation to process remotely Xactimate estimates to submit for insurance and customer approval.
Prepare proposals for hydroelectric retrofit and rehabilitation projects as well as various other domestic and international projects.

Prepare your project estimator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your project estimator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a project estimator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable project estimator resume templates

Build a professional project estimator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your project estimator resume.