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Career Exploration

Cost Estimators

Also called: Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Estimator, Estimator

What they do:

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

On the job, you would:
  • Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
  • Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
  • Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
On the job, you'll need:

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Business

  • accounting and economics
  • management

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • using math to solve problems

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • use rules to solve problems

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Dependability
  • Cooperation
  • Persistence

Project management software

  • Microsoft Project
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

Word processing software

  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft Word

Financial analysis software

  • CPR Visual Estimator
  • Primavera Cost Management

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $71,200

Education

Bachelor's degree is usually needed.