Occupation Profile

Cost Estimators

(SOC Code : 13-1051)

in California

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.

Employers are usually looking for candidates with a Bachelor's degree .

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Occupational Wages

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Area	Year	Period	Hourly Mean	Hourly by Percentile
				25th	Median	75th
California	2012	1st Qtr	$34.01	$24.10	$32.25	$42.43

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")

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Area	Estimated Year-Projected Year	Employment		Employment Change		Annual Avg Openings
		Estimated	Projected	Number	Percent
California	2010 - 2020	22,400	29,600	7,200	32.1	1,160

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange

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Enter a Zip Code Find a Zip code in California

Within miles of Zip Code.

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)

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Industry Title

Number of Employers in State of California

Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California

Building Equipment Contractors

29,622

12.5%

Automotive Repair and Maintenance

37,725

10.6%

Automobile Dealers

8,134

10.2%

Building Finishing Contractors

18,636

8.8%

Building Foundation/Exterior Contractors

10,040

8.3%

Residential Building Construction

22,021

6.4%

Nonresidential Building Construction

16,804

6.1%

Other Specialty Trade Contractors

14,281

5.9%

Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction

2,189

2.6%

Architectural and Engineering Services

23,211

1.8%

Utility System Construction

1,731

1.6%

Printing and Related Support Activities

6,989

1.6%

Architectural and Structural Metals

1,809

1.3%

Aerospace Product & Parts Manufacturing

281

1.2%

Office Administrative Services

2,198

1.1%

Electronic Instrument Manufacturing

1,043

1.0%

About Staffing Patterns

Training Programs (click on title for more information)

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Program Title

Business Administration and Management, General

Business/Commerce, General

Construction Engineering

Construction Engineering Technology/Technician

Manufacturing Engineering

About Training & Apprenticeships

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)

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Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)

Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.

Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.

Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.

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 cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.

Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.

Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.

Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.

Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.

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Top Skills used in this Job

Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Management of Financial Resources - Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)

Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)

Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

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Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)

Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

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