Construction Cost Estimator Jobs
Construction Cost Estimator jobs are open across general contracting, civil engineering, commercial development, and specialty trades, from entry-level to senior and lead roles, with specializations in takeoff estimation, bid preparation, and MEP cost analysis. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 225+ Construction Cost Estimator jobs
Responsibilities:
- Develop and/or evaluate program technical and programmatic baselines
- Develop innovative development, production and operating and support (O&S) cost estimating techniques for a broad range of cost elements
- Develop independent or program life cycle cost estimates and accompanying risk, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
- Develop economic analyses, including but not limited to business case analyses, cost/benefit analyses and analysis-of-alternatives
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost estimates and economic analyses
- Evaluate the credibility of industry cost proposals
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost savings initiatives
- Assess industry contract cost and schedule performance and conduct variance root cause analysis
- Document and present/defend analytical results
- Develop and train less experienced cost analysts
- Apply highly effective customer service skills and work effectively with teams to foster a collaborative work environment across the organization.
- Apply leadership skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple tasks and work requirements
- Apply highly effective communication skills (oral and written) and communicate complex issues and present results to senior managers and others in a clear and concise manner.
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Mid-level: Must have one of the following: (Ideal candidate will have 4-7 years experience with Navy Financials)
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research) OR - Senior-level: Must have a master's degree in a relevant field and at least two (2) years of professional experience, OR No degree and at least eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in specific task area
- Must have an active DOD Secret level clearance
- Must be a US Citizen
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems design, production, operations, and support processes
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems work breakdown structures
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems cost drivers
- Understanding of government cost, technical and programmatic data sources
- Understanding of industry accounting systems
- Ability to think analytically, creatively and critically
- Ability to conduct ground breaking research
- Ability to precisely and concisely communicate and defend complex analytical results verbally and in various forms of written products
- Must have strong Excel skills and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint and Word)
- 5 years experience with Navy financial management systems Navy ERP, NEPS specifically, (e.g., REMIS, RDOCS, PDOCS, PBIS), will be a plus
- Familiarity with Program Objective Management (POM) process, preferred
- ICEAA Certification or Defense Acquisition Workforce Initiative Act (DAWIA) certification desired
- Military friendly
Responsibilities:
- Develop and/or evaluate program technical and programmatic baselines
- Develop innovative development, production and operating and support (O&S) cost estimating techniques for a broad range of cost elements
- Develop independent or program life cycle cost estimates and accompanying risk, uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
- Develop economic analyses, including but not limited to business case analyses, cost/benefit analyses and analysis-of-alternatives
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost estimates and economic analyses
- Evaluate the credibility of industry cost proposals
- Assess the credibility of government and industry cost savings initiatives
- Assess industry contract cost and schedule performance and conduct variance root cause analysis
- Document and present/defend analytical results
- Develop and train less experienced cost analysts
- Apply highly effective customer service skills and work effectively with teams to foster a collaborative work environment across the organization.
- Apply leadership skills and the ability to manage competing priorities, multiple tasks and work requirements
- Apply highly effective communication skills (oral and written) and communicate complex issues and present results to senior managers and others in a clear and concise manner.
-
Mid-level: Must have one of the following: (Ideal candidate will have 4-7 years experience with Navy Financials)
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field (economics, engineering, mathematics, operations research) OR - Senior-level: Must have a master's degree in a relevant field and at least two (2) years of professional experience, OR No degree and at least eight (8) years of demonstrated experience in specific task area
- Must have an active DOD Secret level clearance
- Must be a US Citizen
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems design, production, operations, and support processes
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems work breakdown structures
- Understanding of weapons and/or automated information systems cost drivers
- Understanding of government cost, technical and programmatic data sources
- Understanding of industry accounting systems
- Ability to think analytically, creatively and critically
- Ability to conduct ground breaking research
- Ability to precisely and concisely communicate and defend complex analytical results verbally and in various forms of written products
- Must have strong Excel skills and Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint and Word)
- 5 years experience with Navy financial management systems Navy ERP, NEPS specifically, (e.g., REMIS, RDOCS, PDOCS, PBIS), will be a plus
- Familiarity with Program Objective Management (POM) process, preferred
- ICEAA Certification or Defense Acquisition Workforce Initiative Act (DAWIA) certification desired
- Military friendly
Construction Cost Estimator Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsConstruction Cost Estimator Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Tetra Tech36
- AECOM7
- OCMI, Inc. (O'Connor Construction Management)7
- Planate Management6
- Jacobs5
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate11
- Consulting & Professional Services11
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Technology & Software2
- Chemicals & Materials1
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in construction cost estimator jobs.
- Proficiency in takeoff and estimating software such as Bluebeam, PlanSwift, or Sage Estimating
- Experience reading and interpreting construction drawings and project specifications
- Knowledge of RSMeans or equivalent cost databases for pricing labor and materials
- Bachelor's degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field
- Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or LEED credential preferred by many employers
- Familiarity with subcontractor bid solicitation and scope leveling processes
Tips for Your Construction Cost Estimator Job Search
Quantify your estimate accuracy on your resume
Hiring managers want to see how close your bids came to final project costs. List the types of projects you estimated, the size in square footage or dollar value, and whether your estimates came in within a stated variance range consistently.
Highlight software fluency front and center
Estimating platforms like Bluebeam, PlanSwift, Sage Estimating, and RSMeans are listed as hard requirements in most postings. Name every tool you've used in a dedicated skills section so recruiters and applicant tracking systems catch them immediately.
Target openings by project type, not just title
Construction cost estimator roles vary widely by sector. A bid estimator for a commercial GC requires different experience than one for a civil infrastructure firm. Filter for the project type you know best so your application speaks directly to what the employer is building.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists construction cost estimator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a take-home estimate for technical interviews
Many employers include a practical exercise where you estimate costs from a set of drawings or a scope narrative. Practice working from incomplete documents and documenting your assumptions clearly, since how you handle ambiguity matters as much as the final number.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate salary
Before accepting an offer, clarify which project types you'll estimate, how many bids are expected per month, and whether preconstruction or just bid work is involved. Misaligned scope expectations are a common reason estimators leave roles within the first year.
Construction Cost Estimator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most construction cost estimators?
The companies hiring the most construction cost estimators right now include Tetra Tech, AECOM, and OCMI, Inc. (O'Connor Construction Management), with the largest share of openings in Texas, Florida, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to cluster around firms with active commercial, infrastructure, or multifamily pipelines.
How many construction cost estimator jobs are remote?
About 66% of construction cost estimator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the industry's reliance on site visits, preconstruction meetings, and drawing reviews that are harder to do off-site. Preconstruction and conceptual estimating roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while field-based bid estimators usually work on-site or hybrid.
How do you become a construction cost estimator?
Most construction cost estimators start with a degree in construction management, civil engineering, or architecture, then gain field or project coordinator experience to understand how costs actually accumulate on a job site. From there, learning industry estimating software and cost databases accelerates your path to a full estimating role. Earning the Certified Professional Estimator credential from ASPE demonstrates formal competency and is recognized by many employers.
Can you get hired as a construction cost estimator with little experience?
Entry-level estimating roles do exist, typically titled estimating coordinator, junior estimator, or bid coordinator, and they prioritize attention to detail, math aptitude, and construction knowledge over years of independent estimating. Internships with general contractors or specialty subcontractors, even during school, carry real weight. Demonstrating that you can read drawings, run a takeoff in any software, and document assumptions clearly will move your application forward even without a long resume.
What does the construction cost estimator interview process look like?
Most hiring processes for construction cost estimators include an initial screening call focused on project experience and software proficiency, followed by a technical interview where you walk through how you built a past estimate or handle scope gaps. Many employers add a practical exercise, such as a quantity takeoff from a set of drawings or a written scope review. Final rounds often involve meeting with the preconstruction or operations team to assess how you communicate with project managers and subcontractors.
Where can I find and apply to construction cost estimator jobs?
You can find and apply to construction cost estimator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your experience and project type, then apply directly to each listing. No step is needed before you apply.
See All 225+ Construction Cost Estimator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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