Cost Estimators in Iowa
Considering working as a Cost Estimators in Iowa? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Cost Estimators Make in Iowa?
For a cost estimators working in Iowa, the median annual wage is $76,290 per year (or roughly $36.68/hour).Annual wages span from $49,920 at the 10th percentile to $110,340 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 25th percentile | $60,160 | $28.93 |
| Median (50th) | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| 75th percentile | $90,920 | $43.71 |
| 90th percentile | $110,340 | $53.05 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Iowa compared to the national average — is 0.94.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, cost estimators earn a median of $80,966 per year ($38.93/hour), below the Iowa median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 161,579 cost estimators across the United States. In Iowa alone, approximately 2,090 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 2,460 cost estimators.
Top Iowa Metros for Cost Estimators
The largest metro-area employers of cost estimators in Iowa.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | 660 | $78,680 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 290 | $64,810 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 240 | $77,320 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | 120 | $66,600 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | 100 | $74,880 |
| Dubuque, IA | 90 | $79,750 |
| Ames, IA | 70 | $79,710 |
Top States for Cost Estimators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most cost estimators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 25,580 |
| Texas | 21,810 |
| Florida | 14,640 |
| New York | 9,790 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,370 |
| Ohio | 8,500 |
| Washington | 7,320 |
| Missouri | 6,990 |
| North Carolina | 6,620 |
| Virginia | 6,570 |
| Illinois | 6,220 |
| Michigan | 6,110 |
| Colorado | 6,020 |
| Massachusetts | 5,340 |
| Wisconsin | 5,200 |
| New Jersey | 5,130 |
| Georgia | 5,100 |
| Indiana | 4,800 |
| Arizona | 4,540 |
| Maryland | 4,380 |
Highest-Paying States for Cost Estimators
The highest-paying states for cost estimators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $102,680 |
| California | $84,610 |
| District of Columbia | $84,410 |
| New York | $82,940 |
| Washington | $82,900 |
| Colorado | $81,990 |
| Maryland | $81,490 |
| New Jersey | $80,880 |
| Nevada | $80,270 |
| Minnesota | $79,950 |
Skills
Top cost estimators skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for cost estimators, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- 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.
- Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
- Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
- 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.
- Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to reduce cost.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Documenting/Recording Information
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Autodesk AutoCAD In-demand technologies: ConstructConnect PlanSwift
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Business Administration & Management
- Business & Commerce
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Construction Engineering
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to cost estimators include:
- Construction Managers
- Architectural and Engineering Managers
- Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Logistics Engineers
- Project Management Specialists
- Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
Also Known As
Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Building Construction Estimator, Building Estimator, Civil Estimator, Commercial Construction Estimator, Commercial Estimator, Commercial Roofing Estimator, Concrete Estimator, Construction Estimator, Construction Job Cost Estimator, Cost Analyst, Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Estimating Analyst.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 13-1051.00
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