Construction Managers vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $29,910 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 38.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Construction Managers | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,160 | $46,330 | +$18,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,480 | $59,830 | +$23,650 |
| Median (50th) | $106,980 | $77,070 | +$29,910 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,330 | $99,630 | +$39,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $176,990 | $128,640 | +$48,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $119,660 | $83,160 | +$36,500 |
Employment Numbers
Construction Managers
348,330
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
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: Construction Managers or Cost Estimators?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $29,910 (38.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 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