SalaryByCity

Cost Estimators vs Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Cost Estimators

$77,070

Median annual salary

219,530 employed nationally

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

$76,950

Median annual salary

861,140 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Cost Estimators professionals earn $120 more per year than Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists professionals — that's 0.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $144,610 for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists.

Salary Range Comparison

Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$42,070 – $144,610
$42,070$144,610

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileCost EstimatorsMarket Research Analysts and Marketing SpecialistsDifference
10th Percentile$46,330$42,070+$4,260
25th Percentile$59,830$56,220+$3,610
Median (50th)$77,070$76,950+$120
75th Percentile$99,630$104,870$-5,240
90th Percentile$128,640$144,610$-15,970
Mean (Average)$83,160$86,480$-3,320

Employment Numbers

Cost Estimators

219,530

employed nationwide

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

861,140

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Cost Estimators

CityMedian
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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$139,140
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$124,840
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$102,390
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$97,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$95,930

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $120 (0.2% 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 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists?
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists salaries range from $42,070 (10th percentile) to $144,610 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,950.
How many Cost Estimators and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 861,140 Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists earns $76,950. 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