Cost Estimators
SOC Code: 13-1051 Job Zone 4: Considerable Preparation Needed
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Cost Estimators. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $61,318 | $88,026 | $114,754 | $141,461 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,149 | $87,090 | $111,010 | $134,950 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $67,371 | $89,502 | $111,654 | $133,786 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $69,576 | $89,336 | $109,117 | $128,877 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $52,957 | $76,253 | $99,549 | $122,845 |
| Worcester, MA | $60,133 | $80,787 | $101,462 | $122,117 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $58,843 | $79,102 | $99,382 | $119,642 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $63,482 | $81,370 | $99,258 | $117,146 |
| Springfield, MA | $55,661 | $75,837 | $96,034 | $116,210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $55,952 | $75,587 | $95,243 | $114,878 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| HNTB Corporation | 3 | $141,565 |
| BNBuilders, Inc. | 1 | $131,269 |
| CCC Group, Inc. | 1 | $73,500 |
| Commercial Concrete, Inc. | 1 | $95,000 |
| ELITE CUSTOM SUPPLY LLC | 1 | $100,000 |
| Gruendl, Inc. | 1 | $68,442 |
| HDZ Builders, Inc. | 1 | $65,205 |
| Hunter Pacific Group | 1 | $72,000 |
| J.H. Fitzmaurice, Inc. | 1 | $111,800 |
| Kealey Construction Inc. | 1 | $135,000 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | $64,000 |
| 2021 | 1 | $72,000 |
| 2023 | 3 | $99,062 |
| 2024 | 7 | $102,124 |
| 2025 | 6 | $88,932 |
| 2026 | 1 | $135,000 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 3.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 | |
| Writing | 3.5 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 | |
| Active Learning | 3.2 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Mathematics | 4.4 |
| Economics and Accounting | 4.0 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.5 |
| Engineering and Technology | 3.4 |
| Building and Construction | 3.3 |
| Administration and Management | 3.2 |
| English Language | 3.2 |
| Design | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 81.8% |
| Associate's degree | 9.1% |
| High school diploma | 4.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 4.5% |
Typical Tasks
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
- Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Acrobat Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit Intuit QuickBooks Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management Procore software SAP software
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