Construction and repair of highways and streets, bridges, and construction of more subway systems, airports, water and sewage systems, and electric powerplants and transmission lines will stimulate demand for many more cost estimators. In addition, spending on hotels, office and other commercial buildings, and construction of residential units, will add to the demand for cost estimators to predict the costs of these projects. Job prospects should be best for those workers who have substantial experience in various phases of construction or a specialty craft or those with a degree in construction management, engineering, or architectural drafting. Employment of cost estimators in manufacturing should expand as output increases and as more firms use the services of cost estimators to identify and control their operating costs. In manufacturing, experienced persons with degrees in engineering, science, mathematics, business administration, or economics and who have computer expertise should have the best job prospects.
Certification is an asset in all instances.
Earnings Salaries for cost estimators vary widely by experience, education, size of firm, and industry. Starting salaries and annual earnings in the manufacturing sector were usually somewhat higher. Related Occupations Other workers who quantitatively analyze information based upon relatively imprecise data include appraisers, cost accountants, cost engineers, economists, evaluators, financial analysts, loan officers, operations research analysts, underwriters, and value engineers. Professional Construction Estimators Association of America, P.O. Box 11626, Charlotte, NC 28220-1626. These files are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced.