Accountants and Auditors vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $4,610 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 6.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,330$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $46,330 | +$6,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $59,830 | +$4,830 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $77,070 | +$4,610 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $99,630 | +$6,820 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $128,640 | +$12,780 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $83,160 | +$10,360 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Cost Estimators?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,610 (6.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Cost Estimators earns $77,070. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS