Cost Estimators vs Loan Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $2,890 more per year than Loan Officers professionals — that's 3.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $145,780 for Loan Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Loan Officers$38,490 – $145,780
$38,490$145,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Loan Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $38,490 | +$7,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $50,460 | +$9,370 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $74,180 | +$2,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $101,920 | $-2,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $145,780 | $-17,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $86,020 | $-2,860 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Loan Officers
290,530
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 Loan Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $102,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $94,850 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $94,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $94,110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $91,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Loan Officers?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,890 (3.9% 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 Loan Officers?
Loan Officers salaries range from $38,490 (10th percentile) to $145,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $74,180.
How many Cost Estimators and Loan Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 290,530 Loan Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Loan Officers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Loan Officers earns $74,180. 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