As of June 2026, Cost Estimators has an AI-exposure score of 67/100 (High exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Cost Estimators

67/100
High exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 84% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$78,740. About 16,900 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How this role compares to similar Business & Finance roles

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Data sources, not endorsements: O*NET task data, BLS employment/pay/demand, and Anthropic Economic Index signals.Methodology Data sources
Role snapshot

What this role usually involves

O*NET 29.1 exact occupation

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.

Common titles
Construction EstimatorCost AnalystCost EstimatorEstimatorAcquisition Cost EstimatorAnalyst
O*NET job-zone preparation
Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparation Needed Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Broad guidance for this preparation level; exact requirements vary by role and employer.

Skills and knowledge
MathematicsReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingWriting
Tools and technology
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordAdobe Acrobat
Work context
Email useTelephoneFace-to-face discussionsIndoor controlled settingDecision latitude

Source: O*NET 29.1 exact occupation - Cost Estimators, SOC 13-1051.00. Context describes the role; the AI-exposure score remains a separate task-exposure estimate.

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Cost Estimators tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable
  • 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.
  • Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
9 more automatable tasks locked in the report.
Augmentable
  • Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
  • Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
Durable

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as automatable (86%).

We analyzed all 14 Cost Estimators tasks — 12 automatable and 2 augmentable. The full task map — every task with exactly what to do about each — is in your Career Report.

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Full task map

Every task scored with what to automate, augment, or protect.

Safer role shortlist

5-10 adjacent roles with salary, demand, and reachability.

30/60/90 plan + PDF

A keepable roadmap plus resume and LinkedIn repositioning.

Grounded in O*NET + the Anthropic Economic Index + BLS — not generic ChatGPT advice.

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Safer adjacent roles

Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians
80% skills overlap · High exposure · ~US$64,950
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7 more safer roles with salary, demand & a reachability map — in your Career Report.
AI-augmentation kit (prompt preview) You are my AI copilot for "Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.". I'll paste the inputs; draft the first version and flag exactly what needs my judgment, then iterate until…
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Every task scored with what to do about it · 5–10 safer roles with salary, demand & reachability · skill-gap map · a 30/60/90-day roadmap · plus a résumé & LinkedIn rewrite · PDF.
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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.

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Cost Estimators — median pay by US state (BLS OEWS, USD)

California: US$85,460New York: US$80,430Texas: US$76,980

Median annual wage, in USD. US national: US$78,740. More states are being added.

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