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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
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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
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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
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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
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Computers
  • Notebook computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
 Computer data input devices
  • Scanners
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Business function specific software
  • ConEst BidTrac
  • ConEst JobTrac
  • Galorath SEER
  • Galorath SEER-SEM
  • HCSS HeavyBid
  • HCSS HeavyJob
  • Logic Software Easy Projects.NET
  • Microsoft ProjectHOT
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHOT
  • EFI Hagen OA
  • ConEst Permit Trac
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Finance accounting and enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
  • Choice Job Cost
  • ConEst T&M Billing Manager
  • Cost accounting software
  • Intuit QuickBooksHOT
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Microsoft DynamicsHOT
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOneHOT
  • SAPHOT
  • CPR Visual Estimator
  • ConEst Intellibid
  • Cost estimation software
  • IBM Costimater
  • PRICE Sytems TruePlanning
  • Palisade @Risk
  • Primavera Cost Management
  • Softstar Costar COCOMO II
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Trimble SketchUp ProHOT
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Apple AppleWorks
  • Corel QuattroPro
  • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
  • Laserfiche Avante
 Data management and query software
  • Microsoft Business Contact Manager
  • Oracle HyperionHOT
  • SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
  • Software AG
  • Assured Software JPP
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Sage 100 Contractor
  • Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
  • Xactware Xactimate
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Autodesk RevitHOT
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD softwareHOT
  • ConEst IntelliBid Design BuildHOT
  • ConEst SureCountHOT
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAHOT
  • ConEst Electrical Formulas
  • Construction Management Software ProEst
  • Decisioneering Crystal Ball
  • QSM SLIM
  • Resources Calculations Incorporated SoftCost
  • WinEstimator WinEst
 Information exchange software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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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
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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
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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
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Jobs related to this career may be found on Indeed.com or on the Google Job Search page.