Cost Estimators vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $7,290 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 10.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $40,750 | +$5,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $51,970 | +$7,860 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $69,780 | +$7,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $95,940 | +$3,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $129,480 | $-840 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $80,310 | +$2,850 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Public Relations Specialists?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,290 (10.4% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Cost Estimators and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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