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The differences between project estimators and estimating managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a project estimator and an estimating manager. Additionally, an estimating manager has an average salary of $95,887, which is higher than the $70,496 average annual salary of a project estimator.
The top three skills for a project estimator include project management, cost estimates and construction projects. The most important skills for an estimating manager are cost estimates, construction management, and project management.
| Project Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $70,496 | $95,887 |
| Hourly rate | $33.89 | $46.10 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 56,513 | 11,106 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Project estimators are professionals who are responsible for calculating the total costs that are associated with a construction project or the development of a new product. These estimators are required to monitor project cost and quality construction development while conducting formal presentations to clients about data findings, material takeoff, and project costs. They are required to work with the project management team to develop project accounting and bill-of-materials process. Project estimators must also attend pre-bid meetings and site walk to determine the scope of work and finalize proposals for review by the client.
An estimating manager will oversee the day-to-day activities of the estimating department. Your duties typically include implementing technical estimating procedures and standards and overseeing the project estimator's work. As an estimating manager, you will be responsible for soliciting proposals and bids for labor, equipment, and material from different suppliers. Aside from these, you will be the one responsible for coordinating bid inputs from other departments. You are also responsible for reviewing and evaluating the performance of junior and senior estimators.
Project estimators and estimating managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Average salary | $70,496 | $95,887 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $102,000 | Between $61,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Pablo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Vermont | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Varian Medical Systems | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a project estimator and an estimating manager in terms of educational background:
| Project Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between project estimators' and estimating managers' demographics:
| Project Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 2.3% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 2.2% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.4% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |