Job description template
Cost Estimator Job Description Template
A copy-ready cost estimator job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.
Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows cost estimators earn a median of $78,740 ($37.86/hour); the middle 50% earn $61,150–$101,850.
Job title
Cost Estimator
Job summary
[Company name] is seeking a dependable cost estimator to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will read plans and specs, take off quantities and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.
Responsibilities
- Read plans and specs
- Take off quantities
- Price materials and labor
- Request subcontractor bids
- Build estimates
- Review risks
- Present bids
- Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations
Required qualifications
- Bachelor's degree
- Working knowledge of blueprint reading and quantity takeoff
- Attention to detail and analytical thinking
- [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]
Preferred qualifications
- CPE
- CCE
- Bluebeam certification
- Experience with bluebeam
Skills
- Pricing
- Estimating software
- Excel
- Construction methods
- Communication
- Organization
Work environment and schedule
Estimators work in contractor offices with some site visits. Full time, with crunch times before bid deadlines.
Pay and benefits
$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]
Equal opportunity
[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.
Tips for a cost estimator job posting that attracts applicants
- Use the title candidates search for. “Cost Estimator” is the clearest; alternates include Construction Estimator, Estimator, Quantity Surveyor.
- Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
- Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
- Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a cost estimator so applicants self-select accurately.
- Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Cost Estimator training: widens your applicant pool.
Next steps
Screen and interview with our Cost Estimator hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.