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Cost Estimators in Wisconsin

Cost Estimators in Wisconsin

Considering working as a Cost Estimators in Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin?

For a cost estimators working in Wisconsin, the median annual wage is $71,880 per year (or roughly $34.56/hour).Earnings range from $48,210 at the 10th percentile to $104,390 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $48,210 $23.18
25th percentile $58,570 $28.16
Median (50th) $71,880 $34.56
75th percentile $88,390 $42.50
90th percentile $104,390 $50.19
Salary ranges for Cost Estimators in Wisconsin

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Wisconsin compared to the national average — is 1.25, suggesting 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), lower than the Wisconsin median.

Cost Estimators earnings in Wisconsin vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 161,579 cost estimators in the U.S.. In Wisconsin alone, approximately 5,200 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 2,460 cost estimators.

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

Top Wisconsin Metros for Cost Estimators

The metro areas below employ the most cost estimators in Wisconsin.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI 1,410 $75,720
Madison, WI 760 $71,880
Green Bay, WI 420 $67,560
Appleton, WI 290 $73,730
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI 210 $69,990
Sheboygan, WI 160 $72,760
Wausau, WI 150 $74,160
Eau Claire, WI 120 $68,420
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI 120 $78,270
Janesville-Beloit, WI 110 $70,960
La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN 110 $74,190
Fond du Lac, WI 80 $69,690
Kenosha, WI 70 $70,650

Top States for Cost Estimators Employment

These states have the highest employment of 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

The most important 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

Key abilities 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

Common tasks include:

  • 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

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ConstructConnect PlanSwift

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

Related occupations 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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