Cost Estimators vs Office Clerks, General: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $33,440 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 76.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $29,120 | +$17,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $35,350 | +$24,480 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $43,630 | +$33,440 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $52,560 | +$47,070 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $63,840 | +$64,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $45,470 | +$37,690 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Office Clerks, General?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $33,440 (76.6% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Cost Estimators and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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