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The differences between senior estimators and project estimators 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 a project estimator. Additionally, a senior estimator has an average salary of $73,381, which is higher than the $70,496 average annual salary of a project estimator.
The top three skills for a senior estimator include construction management, cost estimates and construction projects. The most important skills for a project estimator are project management, cost estimates, and construction projects.
| Senior Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Yearly salary | $73,381 | $70,496 |
| Hourly rate | $35.28 | $33.89 |
| Growth rate | -2% | -2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,627 | 56,513 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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.
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.
Senior estimators and project estimators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Average salary | $73,381 | $70,496 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $107,000 | Between $48,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Varian Medical Systems |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior estimator and a project estimator in terms of educational background:
| Senior Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 project estimators' demographics:
| Senior Estimator | Project Estimator | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.1% Female, 8.9% | Male, 86.4% Female, 13.6% |
| 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, 2.3% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 4.5% White, 75.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |