DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

13-1051 Cost Estimators

Occupational Description:

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 First Quarter, 2013
					Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	Mean SE*	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities	2,270	150	$29.81/hr	$0.65/hr	$17.74/hr	$22.91/hr	$28.65/hr	$35.34/hr	$43.15/hr
Minnesota	3,760	184	$28.93/hr	$0.46/hr	$17.24/hr	$21.60/hr	$27.69/hr	$34.80/hr	$43.14/hr
U S	195,230	1,562	$30.64/hr	$0.09/hr	$16.77/hr	$21.68/hr	$28.59/hr	$37.46/hr	$46.96/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	1,170	$30.35/hr
Manufacturing	640	$27.21/hr
Trade, Transportation and Utilities	290	$28.37/hr
Professional and Business Services	130	$26.27/hr
Financial Activities	20	$33.96/hr

Other Regional Data For Cost Estimators
Geography (click title for details)	OES		Projections
Geography (click title for details)	Employment	Median Wage	% Change -
EDR 11 - 7 County Twin Cities	2,270	$28.65/hr	N/A
EDR 7W- Central	320	$25.60/hr	N/A
EDR 10 - Southeast	230	$23.30/hr	N/A
EDR 3 - Arrowhead	140	$27.30/hr	N/A
EDR 9 - South Central	130	$24.84/hr	N/A
EDR 4 - West Central	120	$24.24/hr	N/A
EDR 7E- East Central	90	$31.80/hr	N/A
EDR 5 - North Central	80	$47.73/hr	N/A
EDR 6E- Southwest Central	80	$23.51/hr	N/A
EDR 8 - Southwest	50	$17.71/hr	N/A
EDR 1 - Northwest	50	$20.55/hr	N/A
EDR 2 - Headwaters	30	$27.21/hr	N/A
EDR 6W- Upper Minnesota Valley	20	$30.52/hr	N/A

Related Occupations
Occupation (click title for details)	OES		Projections
Occupation (click title for details)	Employment	Median Wage	% Change -
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products	4,050	$29.50/hr	N/A
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	3,280	$28.76/hr	N/A
Insurance Underwriters	1,670	$29.10/hr	N/A
Credit Analysts	1,310	$30.37/hr	N/A
Tax Preparers	900	$19.01/hr	N/A
Actuaries	800	$44.76/hr	N/A
Budget Analysts	350	$37.05/hr	N/A
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	100	$31.95/hr	N/A

Tasks for Cost Estimators

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.