Cost Estimators vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $84,110 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 109.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$46,330$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $79,830 | $-33,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $114,110 | $-54,280 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $161,180 | $-84,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $214,820 | $-115,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $173,500 | $-90,340 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
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 Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $84,110 (109.1% 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Cost Estimators and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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