Computer User Support Specialists vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $16,730 more per year than Computer User Support Specialists professionals — that's 27.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer User Support Specialists earns $98,010 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer User Support Specialists$38,780 – $98,010
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$38,780$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer User Support Specialists | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $38,780 | $46,330 | $-7,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,580 | $59,830 | $-12,250 |
| Median (50th) | $60,340 | $77,070 | $-16,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,010 | $99,630 | $-22,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,010 | $128,640 | $-30,630 |
| Mean (Average) | $64,990 | $83,160 | $-18,170 |
Employment Numbers
Computer User Support Specialists
697,210
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer User Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $102,430 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,010 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $80,930 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,750 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $75,250 |
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 User Support Specialists or Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,730 (27.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer User Support Specialists?
Computer User Support Specialists salaries range from $38,780 (10th percentile) to $98,010 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,340.
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 User Support Specialists and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,210 Computer User Support Specialists positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Computer User Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer User Support Specialists has a median salary of $60,340 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