Cost Estimators vs Credit Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Credit Analysts professionals earn $3,900 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 5.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $168,840 for Credit Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Credit Analysts$52,930 – $168,840
$46,330$168,840
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Credit Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $52,930 | $-6,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $63,850 | $-4,020 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $80,970 | $-3,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $113,850 | $-14,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $168,840 | $-40,200 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $98,040 | $-14,880 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Credit Analysts
67,370
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Credit Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $133,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,470 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | $105,510 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,010 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $100,670 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Credit Analysts?
Credit Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,900 (5.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Credit Analysts?
Credit Analysts salaries range from $52,930 (10th percentile) to $168,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $80,970.
How many Cost Estimators and Credit Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 67,370 Credit Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Credit Analysts to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Credit Analysts earns $80,970. 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