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Cost Estimators in Washington

Cost Estimators in Washington

Want to work as a Cost Estimators in Washington? Below are the key facts. 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.

What do Cost Estimators Make in Washington?

For cost estimators working in Washington, the typical annual salary is $82,900 per year (or roughly $39.86/hour).Annual wages span from $56,990 at the 10th percentile to $136,530 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $56,990 $27.40
25th percentile $67,010 $32.22
Median (50th) $82,900 $39.86
75th percentile $104,600 $50.29
90th percentile $136,530 $65.64
Salary ranges for Cost Estimators in Washington

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Washington nationwide is 1.45, indicating that cost estimators are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, cost estimators earn a median of $80,966 per year ($38.93/hour), exceeding the Washington median.

Cost Estimators earnings in Washington vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 161,579 cost estimators in the U.S.. In Washington alone, around 7,320 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 2,460 cost estimators.

Cost Estimators in Washington vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Cost Estimators

Top Washington Metros for Cost Estimators

These are the Washington metros with the most cost estimators in Washington.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 4,490 $86,300
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA 530 $75,120
Kennewick-Richland, WA 300 $80,360
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA 250 $78,000
Bellingham, WA 210 $80,990
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA 170 $77,390
Yakima, WA 140 $78,340
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA 110 $82,070
Longview-Kelso, WA 90 $79,700
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA 90 $74,840
Walla Walla, WA 50 $71,370

Top States for Cost Estimators Employment

The table below shows the states where the most cost estimators work.

State Number Employed
California 25,580
Texas 21,810
Florida 14,640
New York 9,790
Pennsylvania 9,370
Ohio 8,500
Washington 7,320
Missouri 6,990
North Carolina 6,620
Virginia 6,570
Illinois 6,220
Michigan 6,110
Colorado 6,020
Massachusetts 5,340
Wisconsin 5,200
New Jersey 5,130
Georgia 5,100
Indiana 4,800
Arizona 4,540
Maryland 4,380

Highest-Paying States for Cost Estimators

Where cost estimators earn the most: cost estimators.

State Annual Median Salary
Massachusetts $102,680
California $84,610
District of Columbia $84,410
New York $82,940
Washington $82,900
Colorado $81,990
Maryland $81,490
New Jersey $80,880
Nevada $80,270
Minnesota $79,950

Skills

Key cost estimators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Mathematics  4.0 / 5
0
5
Speaking  3.9 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  3.8 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  3.8 / 5
0
5
Judgment and Decision Making  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Mathematics  4.4 / 5
0
5
Economics and Accounting  4.0 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.5 / 5
0
5
Engineering and Technology  3.4 / 5
0
5
Building and Construction  3.3 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.2 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for cost estimators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Inductive Reasoning  4.1 / 5
0
5
Mathematical Reasoning  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Number Facility  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, cost estimators typically:

  • 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.
  • Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
  • Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
  • Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
  • Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
  • Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
  • Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
  • Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
  • Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
  • Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to reduce cost.

Work Activities

  • Getting Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Working with Computers
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
  • Processing Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Documenting/Recording Information
  • Scheduling Work and Activities

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ConstructConnect PlanSwift

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

Careers similar to cost estimators include:

Also Known As

Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Commercial Roofing Estimator, Concrete Estimator, Construction Estimator, Construction Job Cost Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst.

References

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