Cost Estimators vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $26,890 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 34.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$46,330$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $63,820 | $-17,490 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $79,880 | $-20,050 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $103,960 | $-26,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $140,940 | $-41,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $212,420 | $-83,780 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $124,450 | $-41,290 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,890 (34.9% 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Cost Estimators and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. 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