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

What is a senior estimator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A senior estimator conducts analysis and prepares estimates on the cost of construction projects. What you do is gather all necessary project information such as project proposals, blueprints, and the cost of the construction work. You will then use the information to estimate the amount of time, labor, and materials needed to complete the project and submit it to the company.

Most commercial, residential, industrial, and mechanical construction projects need a senior estimator. Your job will have you commuting between the office environments and the construction sites where you might go to inspect the work going on or even see clients. It is important that you liaise with suppliers, project managers, and other key holders to ensure that your cost estimation is accurately done.

Necessary skills for this role include budgeting skills, attention to detail, communication skills, analytical and leadership skills. Senior estimators make $31.86 an hour or $66,263 annually. The most commonly required educational qualification for this role is a bachelor's degree in business, construction management, or a related field.

ScoreSenior EstimatorUS Average

Salary

5.7

Avg. Salary $73,381

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 4.43%

Black or African American 2.23%

Hispanic or Latino 13.58%

Unknown 3.81%

White 75.71%

Gender

female 8.89%

male 91.11%

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 senior estimator

Explore senior estimator education requirements

Most common senior estimator degrees

Bachelor's

64.0 %

Associate

20.3 %

Master's

7.3 %

Start to develop specific senior estimator skills

Skills	Percentages
Construction Management	10.52%
Cost Estimates	6.21%
Construction Projects	6.13%
Project Management	5.85%
Value Engineering	4.90%

Complete relevant senior estimator training and internships

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

Research senior estimator duties and responsibilities

Manage team of quoting specialists and control the overall quotation processes for all RFQ's.
Prepare and present GMP proposals.
Organize and direct plumbing projects.
Create bids for HVAC piping, sheet metal, and plumbing work.

Get senior estimator experience

Generally, it takes 1-2 years to become a senior estimator. The most common roles before becoming a senior estimator include estimator project manager, estimator team lead and project manager.

Prepare your senior estimator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your senior 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 senior 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 senior estimator resume templates

Build a professional senior 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 senior estimator resume.