Computer Systems Analysts vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Systems Analysts professionals earn $26,720 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 34.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Systems Analysts earns $166,030 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Systems Analysts$63,160 – $166,030
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$166,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Systems Analysts | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,160 | $46,330 | +$16,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,900 | $59,830 | +$21,070 |
| Median (50th) | $103,790 | $77,070 | +$26,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,360 | $99,630 | +$32,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $166,030 | $128,640 | +$37,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $111,960 | $83,160 | +$28,800 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Systems Analysts
497,800
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Systems Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $160,800 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $132,580 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $127,150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $126,520 |
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Systems Analysts or Cost Estimators?
Computer Systems Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,720 (34.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Systems Analysts?
Computer Systems Analysts salaries range from $63,160 (10th percentile) to $166,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,790.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Computer Systems Analysts and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 497,800 Computer Systems Analysts positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Computer Systems Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Systems Analysts has a median salary of $103,790 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS