Cost Analyst Jobs in California
Cost Analyst jobs in California are actively in demand, with strong hiring concentration in aerospace and defense manufacturing, technology, healthcare systems, and state and local government contracting, covering openings from entry-level junior analyst through senior and principal-level roles. Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area drive the highest volume of postings, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Kaiser Permanente, and Salesforce maintain large, established cost analysis functions. The most sought-after specialties in California right now are manufacturing cost analysis, IT project costing, and government contract cost accounting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Title
Project Controls Cost Analyst, Project & Development Services
Job Description Summary
This role will support all cost management activities of one or multiple complex projects. The role will make an immediate impact at a client by working with senior project managers and senior cost analysts as key stakeholders to support high-level strategic cost plans to support the client through the early phases of the project lifecycle to the closeout. Will work with the project cost lead and project controls manager to develop a plan for the long-term support of the project including building, managing and reporting cost reports and analysis. Must have exceptional organizational, analytical and problem-solving.
Job Description
Essential Job Duties:
- Develop and Manage project cost reports including the evaluation of actual and forecasted costs against budgets
- Provided detailed analysis to the project manager, client, CM, engineering or other 3rd parties on cost risk, issues, and/or mitigations
- Develop project accruals and forecast reports for the projects including detailed monthly, biweekly, and/or weekly as required
- Support earned value analysis
- Support development of project control and project execution plan
- Review/approve invoices from subcontractors and third party
- Assist with the development of RFPs, RFQs and other project related contract negotiations
- Support the development of project estimates
- Assistant with any value engineering exercises
- Assist in the development of cost management procedures for C&W and clients as required
Education/Experience/Training:
- Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related field.
- 3 or more years of related experience in working as a cost management expert on capital projects, including design and construction phases.
- Direct experience working on teams within a complex, matrixed environment.
- Expertise using Excel
- Experience within the construction industry required, candidates with additional life sciences experience strongly preferred.
- Must possess exemplary communication skills – both oral and written.
Competencies:
- Problem Solving
- Analysis
- Reporting
- Leading teams
Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.
Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email Accommodations@cushwake.com. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.
INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”
See All 19 Cost Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Cost Analyst JobsCost Analyst Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Cost Analyst Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google3

- Cushman & Wakefield2

- Cerebras1

- Cerebras Systems1

- E2 Consulting Engineers1

Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate4
- Technology & Software4
- Consulting & Professional Services2
- Artificial Intelligence1
- Automotive1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in cost analyst jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related quantitative field required
- Proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Costpoint strongly preferred
- Experience with standard costing, variance analysis, and cost of goods sold reporting
- Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, financial modeling, and data validation
- Familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulation cost principles for government contract roles
- CPA, CMA, or CCEP credential preferred for senior and government contracting positions
Cost Analyst Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a cost analyst in California?
A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, engineering, or a related field is the standard starting point for cost analyst roles in California. California does not require a state-issued license specific to cost analysis, but employers in aerospace, defense contracting, and healthcare strongly favor candidates who have earned or are pursuing a Certified Management Accountant credential through the Institute of Management Accountants. Government contract employers commonly expect familiarity with FAR cost principles before hiring.
Which companies hire cost analysts in California?
Employers hiring cost analysts in California right now include Google, Cushman & Wakefield, and Cerebras, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, large health systems, and enterprise technology companies means cost analyst demand is spread across several distinct industries rather than dominated by a single sector.
Which California cities have the most cost analyst jobs?
Sunnyvale, Los Angeles, and Costa Mesa have the most cost analyst openings in California. Los Angeles anchors demand through its aerospace, entertainment, and healthcare industries, San Diego through defense contractors and biotech, and the Bay Area through enterprise technology and financial services headquarters, which means openings in smaller or suburban metros typically cluster around satellite offices of those same large employers.
Are there remote cost analyst jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many finance roles, because cost analysis is primarily desk-based work with outputs delivered in spreadsheets and reports rather than requiring physical presence. About 5% of cost analyst openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting a genuine shift in how finance teams in technology and professional services operate. Roles tied to manufacturing plants or government-secured facilities are the least likely to offer remote options.
How can I get hired as a cost analyst in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a staff accountant or financial analyst associate role at a California-based manufacturer, health system, or defense contractor, then transitioning internally once you have exposure to cost reporting. Employers like Kaiser Permanente and large aerospace primes in Southern California run finance rotational or new-grad associate programs that include cost accounting exposure. A CMA candidacy or a course in cost accounting through a California State University extension program significantly strengthens an entry-level application.
Where can I find and apply to cost analyst jobs in California?
You can find and apply to cost analyst jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find roles that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 19 Cost Analyst Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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