Cost Estimators vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $23,680 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 30.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$46,330$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $59,830 | $-13,500 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $76,950 | $-17,120 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $100,750 | $-23,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $131,660 | $-32,030 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $165,790 | $-37,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $108,100 | $-24,940 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,680 (30.7% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Cost Estimators and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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