Senior Cost Estimator Jobs

Senior Cost Estimator jobs are open across construction, manufacturing, defense, and engineering firms, from mid-level to principal and chief estimator, with specializations in MEP systems, heavy civil, and EPC project delivery. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles225+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerTetra Tech
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Work type58% Hybrid
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 225+ Senior Cost Estimator jobs

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Tooling Cost Estimator
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Added 1d ago
Tooling Cost Estimator
PINNACLE TOOL
Wyoming, Michigan
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

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H. J. High Construction
Junior Cost Estimator
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H. J. High Construction
Added 1d ago
Junior Cost Estimator
H. J. High Construction
Orlando, Florida
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Revenue Operations & Enablement
Strategy & Corporate Development
Remote (US)
Bachelor of Science

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Amazon.com
Chief Estimator, AMER Estimating and Cost Control
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Amazon.com
Added 1d ago
Chief Estimator, AMER Estimating and Cost Control
Amazon.com
Herndon, Virginia
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$153k - $255k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
10,000+

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ITC Holdings Corp.
Project Cost Estimator (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal)
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ITC Holdings Corp.
Added 2d ago
Project Cost Estimator (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal)
ITC Holdings Corp.
Novi, Michigan
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
Bachelor's degree in construction management
501-1,000

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ITC Holdings Corp.
Project Cost Estimator (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal)
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ITC Holdings Corp.
Added 2d ago
Project Cost Estimator (Intermediate, Senior, or Principal)
ITC Holdings Corp.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in construction management
501-1,000

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See All 225+ Senior Cost Estimator Jobs

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Senior Cost Estimator Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • Tetra Tech
    Tetra Tech38
  • Delve Underground
    Delve Underground7
  • Planate Management
    Planate Management6
  • Connico
    Connico5
  • Above Group
    Above Group5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services15
  • Construction & Real Estate14
  • Technology & Software3
  • Staffing & Recruiting2
  • Electronics & Hardware2

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in senior cost estimator jobs.

  • 5 or more years of professional cost estimating experience in a relevant industry
  • Proficiency in industry estimating software such as HCSS, Sage Estimating, or Timberline
  • Bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, or a related technical field
  • Demonstrated ability to perform detailed quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications
  • Experience estimating projects across multiple delivery methods including lump sum and GMP
  • Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) or equivalent industry certification preferred

Tips for Your Senior Cost Estimator Job Search

Quantify your bid-win history clearly

Hiring managers want to see the dollar value of projects you've estimated and your bid accuracy rate. Replace vague phrases like 'prepared cost estimates' with concrete project types, delivery methods, and the scale of bids you've led or contributed to.

Highlight software proficiency up front

Employers sort candidates fast by tool fluency. List your experience with estimating platforms like HCSS, Sage Estimating, On-Screen Takeoff, or Bluebeam near the top of your resume, not buried in a skills section at the bottom.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists senior cost estimator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target job postings by delivery method

Design-build, design-bid-build, and CM-at-risk roles require different estimating workflows. Search using delivery method terms alongside your title to surface openings where your specific process experience is a direct fit rather than a partial match.

Prepare a takeoff walkthrough for interviews

Many senior estimator interviews include a practical exercise where you estimate a scope from drawings or a spec sheet. Bring a printed or digital example of a past takeoff you led so you can walk through your methodology, assumptions, and cost drivers confidently.

Negotiate using total project value, not just salary

When discussing compensation, anchor your value to the aggregate dollar volume of projects you've estimated annually. Framing your contribution at that scale gives you a concrete basis for negotiating a senior-level package, including project bonuses or estimating incentives.

Senior Cost Estimator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most senior cost estimators?

The companies hiring the most senior cost estimators right now include Tetra Tech, Delve Underground, and Planate Management, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. General contractors, ENR-ranked engineering firms, and federal defense contractors consistently represent the largest share of active postings for this role.

How many senior cost estimator jobs are remote?

About 76% of senior cost estimator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote availability concentrated in preconstruction consulting, software-based quantity surveying, and owner-side estimating roles rather than field-adjacent positions at general contractors or specialty subcontractors, which typically require on-site presence for site visits and subcontractor coordination.

How do you become a senior cost estimator?

Start by earning a degree in construction management, civil engineering, or a related field, then spend several years in a junior or mid-level estimating role building takeoff skills across a specific trade or sector. Progress by leading full bid packages independently, earning a certification such as the CPE through ASPE, and developing fluency in the estimating software your target market uses. Consistent exposure to preconstruction, subcontractor negotiations, and bid-day coordination accelerates the path to a senior title.

Can I get hired as a senior cost estimator without direct estimating experience?

Transitioning into a senior estimating role without a formal estimating background is possible if you have deep field experience as a project engineer, superintendent, or project manager, since hands-on knowledge of construction means, methods, and cost drivers is what employers are actually after. Pairing that experience with a completed takeoff sample, proficiency in a recognized estimating platform, and a CPE certification in progress can make a compelling case even when your job titles haven't included the word estimator.

What does the senior cost estimator interview process look like?

Most senior cost estimator interviews begin with a phone screen focused on your industry sector, project types, and estimating software experience, followed by a technical interview where you walk through a past bid in detail, explaining your assumptions, scope gaps, and how you handled subcontractor coverage. Many employers include a practical exercise requiring you to estimate a short scope from drawings or specifications. Final rounds often involve meeting the preconstruction director or a VP of operations who evaluates your communication style and ability to present numbers to clients or executives.

Where can I find and apply to senior cost estimator jobs?

You can find and apply to senior cost estimator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your sector, project type, or location and apply directly to each listing from the page.

See All 225+ Senior Cost Estimator Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Senior Cost Estimator Jobs