National
| Median wages (2008) |
$27.17 hourly, $56,510 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
221,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Faster than average (14% to 20%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
86,000 additional employees |
13-1051.00 - Cost Estimators
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Estimator, Cost Estimator, Estimator Project Manager, Project Manager, Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst, Design Consultant, Operations Manager, Sales Engineer
Tasks
- Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
- Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
- Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.
- Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
back to top
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Desktop computers |
| Notebook computers |
| Personal computers |
| Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistants PDA |
| Tablet computers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Choice Job Cost; CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator; Intuit QuickBooks; National Job Cost software |
| Analytical or scientific software — Construction Management Software ProEst; Decisioneering Crystal Ball; QSM SLIM; Resources Calculations Incorporated SoftCost |
| Financial analysis software — CPR International Visual Estimator; IBM Costimater; Primavera Cost Management; Softstar Costar COCOMO II |
| Project management software — Galorath SEER-SEM; Microsoft Project; Sage Software Sage Master Builder; Xactware Xactimate |
| Spreadsheet software — Apple AppleWorks; Corel QuattroPro; IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel |
