Entry Level Construction Estimator Jobs
New grad construction estimator jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or a portfolio of takeoffs and bid estimates can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Staffing & Recruiting, Construction & Real Estate, and Consulting & Professional Services, with employers like Jobot, CMES, and Granite Construction hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Entry Level Construction Estimator jobs
About our client
Our client is a privately held North American manufacturer of structural steel warehouse storage systems, with more than 70 years in business and 10 plants across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They don't just sell rack components. They design complete storage solutions that help customers use their warehouse space better and spend their budgets wisely. Their core markets are food, grocery, frozen food and beverage distribution, which stay strong even in economic downturns. They also design and build automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), one of the fastest-growing areas in warehousing.
The opportunity
You'll join the company's central estimating team, which prices its largest projects. These are typically valued at $1 million or more and are reviewed directly by senior leadership. This isn't a data-entry estimating job. When a customer sends over a parts list, your job is to figure out what they actually need. You might spot a problem in their layout, suggest a smaller footprint, or show how a different system design frees up floor space. You'll turn a busy stream of requests from the sales team into clear, complete proposals that win business.
- Build cost estimates and written proposals for warehouse storage systems, working from customer drawings, specifications and requests for quote.
- Review each request with a critical eye, flag issues, and offer alternative designs or options that save the customer money or space.
- Pull together the full cost of a project: manufactured steel, purchased components, installation labor and freight. Get quotes from outside vendors where needed.
- Coordinate delivery timing with the production schedule across the company's plant network.
- Serve as the main estimating contact for the sales team. Keep several active bids moving at once and adjust quickly as scope changes.
- Work closely with engineering, project management, scheduling, production and accounting, both before and after a sale.
- Talk with customers when needed to clarify scope or answer questions about a bid.
- Follow up on open proposals, track wins and losses, and report results to management.
- Keep proposal and project records organized and current.
What you bring
Education and experience
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil or industrial engineering, with 0–5 years of experience. Recent graduates with the right drive and personality are welcome to apply.
- Or: a two-year engineering or engineering technology degree plus 5–10 years of relevant work experience.
- Experience in any part of the material handling world is a plus. That includes racking, forklifts, conveyors, HVAC, fire sprinklers and suppression, or industrial lighting.
- Comfort with Microsoft Excel, including building basic formulas. No specialized estimating software is required; you'll be trained on the company's own tools.
Personal strengths
- You explain technical ideas clearly to people who aren't engineers.
- You're outgoing and easy to work with, and you build good relationships with a fast-moving sales team.
- You stay calm and thick-skinned under pressure, and you don't take tough feedback personally.
- You stay organized when priorities shift, and you can juggle several projects at once without losing track.
- You think fast, learn quickly and like a challenge. Many people who thrive here have a competitive, team-oriented background, such as athletics.
Why you'll want to join
- Real career paths. Estimating gives you exposure to every part of the business. Past estimators have moved into the ASRS automation group, sales, engineering, project management and even software development. Others have stayed in estimating and taken on their own regional territory.
- Profit sharing. This role is eligible for discretionary profit sharing, which is uncommon today.
- A big company that feels small. The company is growing but still runs like a family business. Leadership is visible and approachable, and good ideas get heard.
- Travel when you want it. If you'd like to visit warehouses and job sites, you can. If you'd rather stay in the office, that's fine too.
About our client
Our client is a privately held North American manufacturer of structural steel warehouse storage systems, with more than 70 years in business and 10 plants across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. They don't just sell rack components. They design complete storage solutions that help customers use their warehouse space better and spend their budgets wisely. Their core markets are food, grocery, frozen food and beverage distribution, which stay strong even in economic downturns. They also design and build automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), one of the fastest-growing areas in warehousing.
The opportunity
You'll join the company's central estimating team, which prices its largest projects. These are typically valued at $1 million or more and are reviewed directly by senior leadership. This isn't a data-entry estimating job. When a customer sends over a parts list, your job is to figure out what they actually need. You might spot a problem in their layout, suggest a smaller footprint, or show how a different system design frees up floor space. You'll turn a busy stream of requests from the sales team into clear, complete proposals that win business.
- Build cost estimates and written proposals for warehouse storage systems, working from customer drawings, specifications and requests for quote.
- Review each request with a critical eye, flag issues, and offer alternative designs or options that save the customer money or space.
- Pull together the full cost of a project: manufactured steel, purchased components, installation labor and freight. Get quotes from outside vendors where needed.
- Coordinate delivery timing with the production schedule across the company's plant network.
- Serve as the main estimating contact for the sales team. Keep several active bids moving at once and adjust quickly as scope changes.
- Work closely with engineering, project management, scheduling, production and accounting, both before and after a sale.
- Talk with customers when needed to clarify scope or answer questions about a bid.
- Follow up on open proposals, track wins and losses, and report results to management.
- Keep proposal and project records organized and current.
What you bring
Education and experience
- A bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil or industrial engineering, with 0–5 years of experience. Recent graduates with the right drive and personality are welcome to apply.
- Or: a two-year engineering or engineering technology degree plus 5–10 years of relevant work experience.
- Experience in any part of the material handling world is a plus. That includes racking, forklifts, conveyors, HVAC, fire sprinklers and suppression, or industrial lighting.
- Comfort with Microsoft Excel, including building basic formulas. No specialized estimating software is required; you'll be trained on the company's own tools.
Personal strengths
- You explain technical ideas clearly to people who aren't engineers.
- You're outgoing and easy to work with, and you build good relationships with a fast-moving sales team.
- You stay calm and thick-skinned under pressure, and you don't take tough feedback personally.
- You stay organized when priorities shift, and you can juggle several projects at once without losing track.
- You think fast, learn quickly and like a challenge. Many people who thrive here have a competitive, team-oriented background, such as athletics.
Why you'll want to join
- Real career paths. Estimating gives you exposure to every part of the business. Past estimators have moved into the ASRS automation group, sales, engineering, project management and even software development. Others have stayed in estimating and taken on their own regional territory.
- Profit sharing. This role is eligible for discretionary profit sharing, which is uncommon today.
- A big company that feels small. The company is growing but still runs like a family business. Leadership is visible and approachable, and good ideas get heard.
- Travel when you want it. If you'd like to visit warehouses and job sites, you can. If you'd rather stay in the office, that's fine too.
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Entry Level Construction Estimator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level construction estimator job?
Start by building hands-on experience through internships, co-ops, or volunteer estimating work on small projects. Employers at this level look for familiarity with takeoff software, basic blueprint reading, and a working understanding of material and labor costs. A portfolio showing real bid documents, quantity surveys, or class projects gives you a concrete edge over candidates who only list coursework on their resume.
Which companies hire entry level construction estimators?
Companies hiring entry level construction estimators right now include Jobot, CMES, and Granite Construction, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. General contractors, specialty subcontractors, and construction management firms tend to hire the most at this level, often bringing in new estimators to support senior staff on larger bids.
Are there remote entry level construction estimator jobs?
Yes, though most openings at this level are on-site or hybrid rather than fully remote. About 0% of entry level construction estimator openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, meaning a portion of roles offer schedule flexibility even for candidates just starting out. On-site experience is still common because early-career estimators benefit from direct access to project teams and field conditions.
Are these new grad construction estimator jobs?
Yes, this page includes new grad, recent graduate, and junior construction estimator roles. A new grad friendly posting typically welcomes zero to two years of experience and accepts internships, co-op rotations, or a portfolio of student project work in place of full professional history. Look for listings that mention training programs, mentorship, or degree requirements without a strict experience minimum.
Which industries hire the most entry level construction estimators?
Entry Level construction estimator roles concentrate in Staffing & Recruiting, Construction & Real Estate, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors drive the most entry level hiring because project volume requires dedicated estimating support, and firms in these industries regularly onboard junior estimators to build their pipeline of trained talent.