Cost Estimators
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
AI Impact Summary
Cost Estimators faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 37/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 72% of all analyzed occupations. Of 14 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Cost Estimators skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
Machine Learning Specialization
by Stanford / DeepLearning.AI
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
14 tasks analyzed
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.
Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.
Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity.
Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 10% | |
| Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues. | 55.02Observed | 37.0% | 10% | |
| Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 10% | |
| Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates. | 70Estimated | 55.0% | 15% | |
| Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates. | 30Estimated | 27.0% | 10% | |
| Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops. | 57.07Observed | 49.8% | 10% | |
| Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% | |
| Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors. | 42.57Observed | 66.2% | 3% | |
| Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 5% | |
| Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 4% | |
| Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 29.3%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$77,070
per year
Mean Wage
$83,160
per year
Employment
220K
workers
Wage Range
$46,330 - $128,640
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Cost Estimators professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Negotiation
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 3 scoring runs
overall change