Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between senior 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 senior estimator and an estimating manager. Additionally, an estimating manager has an average salary of $95,887, which is higher than the $73,381 average annual salary of a senior estimator.
The top three skills for a senior estimator include construction management, cost estimates and construction projects. The most important skills for an estimating manager are cost estimates, construction management, and project management.
| Senior Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $73,381 | $95,887 |
| Hourly rate | $35.28 | $46.10 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,627 | 11,106 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
In the construction industry, a senior estimator specializes in estimating the total cost, time, supplies and materials, equipment, and labor required to complete a construction project. To ensure accuracy, a senior estimator coordinates with the client, architect, and engineer to identify and understand project needs, participates in the planning and scheduling procedures, and prepares the necessary documentation. They are also in charge of conducting cost analyses, risk assessments, and selecting subcontractors and suppliers, coordinating with the construction managers and architects regularly.
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.
Senior estimators and estimating managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Average salary | $73,381 | $95,887 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $107,000 | Between $61,000 And $149,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Pablo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior estimator and an estimating manager in terms of educational background:
| Senior Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | 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 senior estimators' and estimating managers' demographics:
| Senior Estimator | Estimating Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 87.8% Female, 12.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |