Cost Estimators vs Electrical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn $34,840 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 45.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $175,460 for Electrical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Electrical Engineers$74,670 – $175,460
$46,330$175,460
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Electrical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $74,670 | $-28,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $87,590 | $-27,760 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $111,910 | $-34,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $141,630 | $-42,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $175,460 | $-46,820 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $120,980 | $-37,820 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Electrical Engineers
188,790
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Electrical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $186,920 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $163,840 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $136,820 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $135,480 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $134,900 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,840 (45.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers?
Electrical Engineers salaries range from $74,670 (10th percentile) to $175,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $111,910.
How many Cost Estimators and Electrical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 188,790 Electrical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electrical Engineers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Electrical Engineers earns $111,910. 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