DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

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.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
Wages Updated to Third Quarter, 2012

					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	3,770	181	$29.09/hr	$0.55/hr	$16.80/hr	$21.23/hr	$27.72/hr	$35.05/hr	$43.40/hr
U S	187,730	1,502	$30.74/hr	$0.09/hr	$16.92/hr	$21.76/hr	$28.66/hr	$37.45/hr	$47.06/hr
*SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate.

Leading Industries for Cost Estimators Industry OES Employment OES Median Wage Construction 2,070 $30.07/hr Manufacturing 1,020 $25.90/hr Trade, Transportation and Utilities 460 $25.11/hr Professional and Business Services 150 $27.44/hr Other Services 40 $32.59/hr Financial Activities 10 $35.01/hr

Other Regional Data For Cost Estimators Geography (click title for details) OES Projections Employment Median Wage % Change 2010 - 2020 Minnesota 3,770 $27.72/hr 36.0% Minneapolis-Saint Paul MN-WI MSA 2,600 $29.41/hr N/A Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 2,380 $29.28/hr 33.8% Central Minnesota 490 $26.50/hr 46.8% Southwest Minnesota 280 $24.54/hr 29.4% Southeast Minnesota 260 $24.03/hr 37.7% Northwest Minnesota 250 $23.03/hr 41.1% Southeast Balance of State 220 $22.99/hr N/A Northwest Balance of State 210 $22.51/hr N/A Saint Cloud MN MSA 190 $24.18/hr N/A Fargo-Moorhead ND-MN MSA 190 $25.21/hr N/A Southwest Balance of State 190 $23.45/hr N/A Northeast Minnesota 150 $22.20/hr 37.6% La Crosse WI-MN MSA 130 $25.52/hr N/A Duluth-Superior MN-WI MSA 130 $23.57/hr N/A Mankato-North Mankato, MN MetroSA 100 $24.18/hr N/A Rochester MN MSA 100 $27.10/hr N/A Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 90 $26.18/hr N/A Northeast Balance of State 80 $20.72/hr N/A

Related Occupations

Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
	Employment	Median Wage	% Change 2010 - 2020
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products	5,670	$28.21/hr	8.0%
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	4,600	$27.82/hr	3.4%
Insurance Underwriters	1,840	$28.90/hr	5.4%
Credit Analysts	1,580	$29.05/hr	17.9%
Tax Preparers	1,060	$17.39/hr	8.7%
Actuaries	630	$46.29/hr	30.8%
Budget Analysts	510	$34.63/hr	2.8%
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	90	$29.43/hr	-11.7%

• Analyzes blueprints, specifications, proposals, and other documentation, to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates.
• Prepares estimates used for management purposes, such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
• Prepares estimates for selecting vendors or subcontractors, and determining cost effectiveness.
• Reviews data to determine material and labor requirements, and prepares itemized list.
• Prepares time, cost, and labor estimates for products, projects, or services, applying specialized methodologies, techniques, or processes.
• Conducts special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.
• Computes cost factors used for preparing estimates for management and determining cost effectiveness.
• Consults with clients, vendors, or other individuals to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.