Career Details
Career Details

Career Details

Return to the Search

13-1051.00 - Cost Estimators


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.


Key Facts
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
213,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
232,300
Estimate
Change in Employment
+18,700
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+8.8%
Estimate
Tasks
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • 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.
  • Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
  • Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.
  • Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
  • Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
  • Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to reduce cost.
  • Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
Supplemental
  • Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
  • Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of utility services.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Mathematics
  • 90%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 80%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 English Language
  • 78%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Building and Construction
  • 76%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 75%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 70%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Administration and Management
  • 70%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 65%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Law and Government
  • 64%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Production and Processing
  • 62%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Design
  • 62%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Mechanical
  • 58%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 55%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Education and Training
  • 55%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 50%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Tablet computers
 Computer data input devices
  • Scanners
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Laserfiche Avante
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Apple AppleWorks
  • Corel QuattroPro
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Trimble SketchUp ProHOT
 Data management and query software
  • Assured Software JPP
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft Business Contact Manager
  • Oracle HyperionHOT
  • Sage 100 Contractor
  • Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
  • SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
  • Software AG
  • Xactware Xactimate
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Autodesk RevitHOT
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD softwareHOT
  • ConEst Electrical Formulas
  • ConEst IntelliBid Design BuildHOT
  • ConEst SureCountHOT
  • Construction Management Software ProEst
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
  • Decisioneering Crystal Ball
  • QSM SLIM
  • Resources Calculations Incorporated SoftCost
  • WinEstimator WinEst
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • Choice Job Cost
  • ConEst Intellibid
  • ConEst T&M Billing Manager
  • Cost accounting software
  • Cost estimation software
  • CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
  • CPR Visual Estimator
  • IBM Costimater
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • Palisade @Risk
  • PRICE Sytems TruePlanning
  • Primavera Cost Management
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • SAPHOT
  • Softstar Costar COCOMO II
 Business function specific software
  • ConEst BidTrac
  • ConEst JobTrac
  • ConEst Permit Trac
  • EFI Hagen OA
  • Galorath SEER
  • Galorath SEER-SEM
  • HCSS HeavyBid
  • HCSS HeavyJob
  • Logic Software Easy Projects.NET
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Specialty
 Advanced
 Core
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Peirce College
 Programs
Jobs
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Jobs related to this career may be found on Indeed.com or on the Google Job Search page.