Cost Estimators vs Property Appraisers and Assessors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $11,650 more per year than Property Appraisers and Assessors professionals — that's 17.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $122,760 for Property Appraisers and Assessors.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Property Appraisers and Assessors$38,480 – $122,760
$38,480$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Property Appraisers and Assessors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $38,480 | +$7,850 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $49,310 | +$10,520 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $65,420 | +$11,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $90,810 | +$8,820 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $122,760 | +$5,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $77,160 | +$6,000 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Property Appraisers and Assessors
59,070
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 Property Appraisers and Assessors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $105,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,400 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $99,430 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $99,340 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $99,280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Property Appraisers and Assessors?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,650 (17.8% 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 Property Appraisers and Assessors?
Property Appraisers and Assessors salaries range from $38,480 (10th percentile) to $122,760 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,420.
How many Cost Estimators and Property Appraisers and Assessors jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 59,070 Property Appraisers and Assessors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Property Appraisers and Assessors to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Property Appraisers and Assessors earns $65,420. 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