Salaries vary according to the size of the construction or manufacturing firm and the experience and education of the worker. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary for cost estimators was $64,040 in May 2018. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,060 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $107,940. By industry, the mean annual ea...

Much of the cost estimator's work takes place in a typical office setting with access to accounting records and other information. However, estimators must also visit construction sites or manufacturing facilities to inspect production procedures. These sites may be dirty, noisy, and potentially hazardous if the cost estimator is not equipped with proper protective gear such as a hard hat, safe...

Employment for cost estimators is expected to increase by 9 percent, faster than the average for all careers from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As in most industries, highly trained college graduates and those with the most experience will have the best job prospects.

Many jobs will arise from the need to replace workers leaving the industry, either to retire o...