Cost Estimators
Cost Analyst,
Construction Estimator,
Cost Estimator,
Estimator
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.
- DemandNeutral
- state Avg. Salary $$$$$$61,845Download Career Flyer
What do they typically do on the job?
- Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
Personality
Interests
Career interests describe the perspectives and interests of people who enjoy the type of work involved in this career.
Discover what your interests are by taking the Interest Profiler Quiz

Knowledge
People who want to pursue this career have knowledge in these areas.
Math and Science
Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Engineering and Technology
Product and service development
Building and construction
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
Accounting and economics

Abilities
Whether you have received formal training or not, these types of abilities are helpful in this career.
Math
Add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Choose the right type of math to solve a problem
Verbal
Communicate by speaking
Listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
Make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Use rules to solve problems

Skills
People who want to pursue this career have skills in these areas.
Basic Skills
Using math to solve problems
Reading work related information
People and Technology Systems
Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Problem Solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Work Values
Work values describe how your core beliefs align with those commonly needed for this career.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Does this sound like something you'd like to do?
1. Do some research
- Identify how your interests, values, and strengths match this occupation
- Talk to someone who works in this field or spend a day job shadowing
- Use the colleges and training directory to explore programs related to this career
2. Plan your next move
- Talk to your college and career counselor or school admissions staff
- Connect with a career advisor or mentor
- Visit Idaho Launch
Data for NSI career cards comes from the following: Idaho Department of Labor, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, MyNextMove, and Career OneStop