Cost Estimators vs Labor Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn $16,430 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 21.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $153,440 for Labor Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
$46,330$153,440
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Labor Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $49,880 | $-3,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $67,670 | $-7,840 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $93,500 | $-16,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $123,090 | $-23,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $153,440 | $-24,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $97,130 | $-13,970 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
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 Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,430 (21.3% 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 Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
How many Cost Estimators and Labor Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Labor Relations Specialists to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Labor Relations Specialists earns $93,500. 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