H-1B Visa Estimator Jobs
Estimator roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related field. Large general contractors, specialty subcontractors, and engineering firms regularly file LCAs for estimating positions. Your degree field and the employer's prevailing wage compliance are the two factors that determine whether your offer converts to a petition.
Find H-1B Visa Estimator JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 905+ Estimator jobs
See all 905+ Estimator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Estimator roles.
Get Access To All JobsLOCATION
Los Angeles, California, United States
INTRODUCTION
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We’re seeking a Jr. Heavy Civil/Transit Cost Estimator with estimating experience ranging in size from $5M-$10B to support our projects and clients across the country. The types of projects include heavy civil, highway, bridge, transit, rail, airports, and urban development.
This role will review design documents, proposals, specifications, drawings, attend design development meetings and assess the risk and cost impacts required to develop the estimates.
You will work with a knowledgeable and supportive team as you prepare estimates by reviewing and comprehending scope documents, developing project work breakdown structures, calculating complete scope of work take-offs, assist contracts staff with statements of work for subcontractors and vendors, apply construction means and methods, calculate indirect field and owner’s costs, and meeting necessary deadlines.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop capital cost estimates for transportation/transit projects.
- Review and validate change orders.
- Maintain organized and detailed files, project records and logs.
- Attend project meetings as required.
Please Note - we're seeking candidates within the Western region of the United States. You'll be assigned to the closest Jacobs office nearest where you live to enable you to work from this office 2 days a week.
Bring your curiosity, passion for innovation, and talent for multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment. We’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what inspires you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Progressive and successful cost estimating experience in transportation projects.
- Cost estimating experience with transit stations e.g. At-Grade Stations, Elevated/Aerial Stations, and Underground (Cut & Cover).
- Proficient use of MS Office products, HCSS (HeavyBid) estimating software and BlueBeam.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors' degree in engineering, construction management or a related field.
- At least 5-9 years of estimating and construction experience related to heavy civil construction Alternative delivery procurement experience.
- Understanding of the relationship between cost, risk and schedule.
COMPENSATION
- Posted Salary Range: Minimum $110,000.00
- Posted Salary Range: Upper $135,000.00
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
The base salary range for this position is $110,000.00 to $135,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on November 22, 2023. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
LOCATION
Los Angeles, California, United States
INTRODUCTION
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We’re seeking a Jr. Heavy Civil/Transit Cost Estimator with estimating experience ranging in size from $5M-$10B to support our projects and clients across the country. The types of projects include heavy civil, highway, bridge, transit, rail, airports, and urban development.
This role will review design documents, proposals, specifications, drawings, attend design development meetings and assess the risk and cost impacts required to develop the estimates.
You will work with a knowledgeable and supportive team as you prepare estimates by reviewing and comprehending scope documents, developing project work breakdown structures, calculating complete scope of work take-offs, assist contracts staff with statements of work for subcontractors and vendors, apply construction means and methods, calculate indirect field and owner’s costs, and meeting necessary deadlines.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop capital cost estimates for transportation/transit projects.
- Review and validate change orders.
- Maintain organized and detailed files, project records and logs.
- Attend project meetings as required.
Please Note - we're seeking candidates within the Western region of the United States. You'll be assigned to the closest Jacobs office nearest where you live to enable you to work from this office 2 days a week.
Bring your curiosity, passion for innovation, and talent for multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment. We’ll help you grow, pursue and fulfill what inspires you – so we can make big impacts on the world, together.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Progressive and successful cost estimating experience in transportation projects.
- Cost estimating experience with transit stations e.g. At-Grade Stations, Elevated/Aerial Stations, and Underground (Cut & Cover).
- Proficient use of MS Office products, HCSS (HeavyBid) estimating software and BlueBeam.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelors' degree in engineering, construction management or a related field.
- At least 5-9 years of estimating and construction experience related to heavy civil construction Alternative delivery procurement experience.
- Understanding of the relationship between cost, risk and schedule.
COMPENSATION
- Posted Salary Range: Minimum $110,000.00
- Posted Salary Range: Upper $135,000.00
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
The base salary range for this position is $110,000.00 to $135,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on November 22, 2023. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
See all 905+ H-1B Visa Estimator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Estimator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Estimator
Verify your degree supports specialty occupation
USCIS requires that an Estimator role normally require a bachelor's degree in a specific field like construction management, civil engineering, or quantity surveying. A general business degree alone may trigger an RFE, so confirm your employer's job description explicitly states a field-specific requirement.
Check prevailing wage before accepting offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for Estimators under SOC code 13-1051 in your work location. If the offered salary falls below Level I, the employer can't file a compliant LCA, which blocks the H-1B petition entirely.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate to filter Estimator roles by employers who have filed LCAs for this occupation. Companies with repeat filings in construction, infrastructure, and engineering sectors already understand the process and are less likely to withdraw sponsorship mid-petition.
Document project scope and technical complexity
When your employer builds the H-1B petition, USCIS scrutinizes whether the Estimator role genuinely requires a degree. Gather project documentation showing cost modeling, bid analysis, or systems like Procore or Timberline that require specialized training, not just work experience alone.
Understand how project-based work affects your status
Estimators who move between job sites must have LCA certifications that cover each worksite location. If your employer wins a contract in a new state, DOL requires an amended or new LCA before you work there, which adds processing time to your timeline.
File premium processing if your start date is fixed
USCIS offers 15-business-day adjudication through premium processing for an additional fee. Estimating roles often have project-tied start dates, so a delayed decision can affect bid commitments. Confirm with your employer early whether they'll cover this cost before the petition is submitted.
H-1B Visa Estimator: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Estimator role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can qualify, but it's not automatic. USCIS evaluates whether the specific Estimator position normally requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as construction management, civil engineering, or architecture. Roles that accept any degree or substitute extensive experience for a degree are at higher risk of an RFE. Your employer's job description must clearly tie the position to a field-specific educational requirement.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most often for Estimator roles?
General contractors, specialty subcontractors, engineering and design-build firms, and infrastructure consultancies are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for Estimators. Defense contractors and large commercial developers also file regularly. You can filter by employer and occupation on Migrate Mate to see which companies have active LCA filings specifically for estimating and cost management roles.
What happens to my H-1B status if I'm moved between project sites?
DOL requires a certified LCA for each location where you work for more than 30 continuous days or 60 non-continuous days in a year. If your employer sends you to a new city or state on a project, they need to file a new or amended LCA covering that worksite before you begin work there. Short-term travel under those thresholds is generally exempt, but confirm the specifics with your employer's immigration counsel.
Can I switch employers mid-H-1B while working as an Estimator?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition, without waiting for approval, provided you've been in valid H-1B status and the petition is non-frivolous. The new employer must file their own LCA covering the Estimator role and location, and the offered wage must meet DOL prevailing wage requirements for that position.
How does the O*NET classification affect my H-1B petition as an Estimator?
USCIS references O*NET job zone classifications when evaluating specialty occupation status. The O*NET profile for Cost Estimators (SOC 13-1051) places the role in Job Zone 4, which corresponds to substantial education requirements. Your employer's petition should align the job duties with the O*NET description and cite the degree requirement directly. Deviations between your actual duties and the O*NET profile can invite additional scrutiny.