Cost Estimators vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $4,160 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 5.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $45,440 | +$890 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $55,870 | +$3,960 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $72,910 | +$4,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $97,270 | +$2,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $126,540 | +$2,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $79,730 | +$3,430 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Human Resources Specialists?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,160 (5.7% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Cost Estimators and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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