Computer Network Support Specialists vs Cost Estimators: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $3,730 more per year than Computer Network Support Specialists professionals — that's 5.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Network Support Specialists earns $124,470 compared to $128,640 for Cost Estimators.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Network Support Specialists$46,010 – $124,470
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
$46,010$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Network Support Specialists | Cost Estimators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,010 | $46,330 | $-320 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,720 | $59,830 | $-3,110 |
| Median (50th) | $73,340 | $77,070 | $-3,730 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,710 | $99,630 | $-3,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,470 | $128,640 | $-4,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $79,610 | $83,160 | $-3,550 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Network Support Specialists
146,450
employed nationwide
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Network Support Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $104,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $97,200 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $88,980 |
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: Computer Network Support Specialists or Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,730 (5.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Network Support Specialists?
Computer Network Support Specialists salaries range from $46,010 (10th percentile) to $124,470 (90th percentile), with a median of $73,340.
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 Computer Network Support Specialists and Cost Estimators jobs are there?
There are approximately 146,450 Computer Network Support Specialists positions and 219,530 Cost Estimators positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Cost Estimators to Computer Network Support Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Network Support Specialists has a median salary of $73,340 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