Projected pay for Cost Estimators (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $78,740 → in 3 years $83,600 → in 5 years $87,000 → in 10 years $96,100 (10-year range $82,700–$111,600). The model assumes pay growth of +2.0% per year.
$78,740
Now 2026
$83,600
In 3 yrs 2029
$77,200–$91,000
$87,000
In 5 yrs 2031
$78,400–$96,900
$96,100
In 10 yrs 2036
$82,700–$111,600
What drives the annual growth rate
Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.35%AI impact -0.63%Total +2.0% / yr
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Cost Estimators
38/100
★★☆☆☆
Below average · ranked #703 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
71 pts
AI resistance
29 pts
Entry barrier
73 pts
Annual openings
31 pts
Projected growth
18 pts
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Labor demand for Cost Estimators
Employment
224K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
220K
2025–35
Projected change
−3.1%
ranked #672 for growth
Annual openings
18K
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Low
35/100
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.
Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.
$166,570
65/100
65%
Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.