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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Cost Estimators

Part of Architecture & Construction, in the Design/Pre-Construction pathway.

Job zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 13-1051.00

What the work is

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.

On a typical day

  • Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
  • 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.
  • Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
  • Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
  • Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.

What it pays

$74,830
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $45,340
Experienced workers reach $129,840
  1. $45k10th
  2. $58k25th
  3. $75kMedian
  4. $98k75th
  5. $130k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $45,340, 25th $58,400, Median $74,830, 75th $98,480, 90th $129,840

About 1,690 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+5.4%

employment change in the Alamo region, 1,975 to 2,082 jobs · U.S. -4%

179

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 16,900

1,975

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 221,400

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Reading Comprehension4.1
  2. Mathematics4.1
  3. Speaking4.0
  4. Critical Thinking4.1
  5. Active Listening4.0
  6. Judgment and Decision Making3.8
  7. Writing4.0
  8. Complex Problem Solving3.6

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less5%
  2. Associate degree9%
  3. Bachelor's degree82%
  4. Master's degree5%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • St. Philip's
  • San Antonio
  1. Business Administration

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  2. Business Administration

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  3. Business Management

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Business & Entrepreneurship

  4. Management, BAT

    Degree · Online option · Business & Entrepreneurship

  5. Business Administration

    Transfer pre-major · Online option · Business & Entrepreneurship

  6. Business Management and Technology

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Business & Entrepreneurship

  7. Construction Business Management

    Certificate · Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics

  8. Construction Technology

    Degree · Certificate · Advanced Manufacturing & Logistics

  9. Business Administration

    Transfer pre-major · Business & Entrepreneurship

  10. Business Management

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Business & Entrepreneurship

  11. Real Estate Management

    Degree · Certificate · Online option · Business & Entrepreneurship

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