Cost Estimators vs Managers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Managers, All Other professionals earn $59,480 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 77.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $227,590 for Managers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Managers, All Other$68,860 – $227,590
$46,330$227,590
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Managers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $68,860 | $-22,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $100,010 | $-40,180 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $136,550 | $-59,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $179,190 | $-79,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $227,590 | $-98,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $149,890 | $-66,730 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Managers, All Other
630,980
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 Managers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $215,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $203,030 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $174,840 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $168,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Managers, All Other?
Managers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $59,480 (77.2% 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 Managers, All Other?
Managers, All Other salaries range from $68,860 (10th percentile) to $227,590 (90th percentile), with a median of $136,550.
How many Cost Estimators and Managers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 630,980 Managers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Managers, All Other to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Managers, All Other earns $136,550. 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