medium risk
Cost Estimatorsvs
59 shared · 21 different
core competencies
Side-by-Side Comparison
Cost Estimators leads 4–0| Metric | Cost Estimators | Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Score | 37.0% | 37.7% |
| Risk Tier | Medium Risk | Medium Risk |
| Risk Percentile | 72th | 74th |
| Tasks at Risk (>50%) | 8 / 14 | 10 / 15 |
| Median Salary | $77,070 | N/A |
| Employment | 220K | N/A |
Skill Comparison
|
Sorted by largest difference
Building and Construction
Analyzing Data or Information
Engineering and Technology
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Transportation
Clerical
Number Facility
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
MathematicsAI-Vulnerable
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
Mathematical Reasoning
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Protective Factors
Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement
Cost Estimators
29%
total discount
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
31%
total discount
Task Risk Comparison
Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable
Cost Estimators
8 of 14 at risk87%Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
86%Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
84%Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
66%Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.
55%Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
10 of 15 at risk87%Maintain and review computerized or manual records of purchased items, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories.
81%Monitor shipments to ensure that goods come in on time, and resolve problems related to undelivered goods.
72%Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
66%Review catalogs, industry periodicals, directories, trade journals, and Internet sites and consult with other department personnel to locate necessary goods and services.
61%Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
Wage Comparison
Cost EstimatorsPurchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
10th
$46,330N/A
25th
$59,830N/A
Median
$77,070N/A
75th
$99,630N/A
90th
$128,640N/A
Premium Head-to-Head Analysis
Displacement Timeline Comparison
Cost Estimators2028–2035
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products2028–2035
20242030203520402045
Cost Estimators has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products.
Transition Feasibility
1%
Skill Overlap
Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition
0
Unique to Cost
0
Unique to Purchasing
Combined Protection Strategy
Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors
Social Intelligence
Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Cost EstimatorsPurchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products