Cost Estimators vs Electricians: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $14,720 more per year than Electricians professionals — that's 23.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $106,030 for Electricians.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Electricians$39,430 – $106,030
$39,430$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Electricians | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $39,430 | +$6,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $48,820 | +$11,010 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $62,350 | +$14,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $81,730 | +$17,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $106,030 | +$22,610 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $69,630 | +$13,530 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Electricians
742,580
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 Electricians
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $102,070 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,600 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $99,540 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $95,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $95,020 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Electricians?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,720 (23.6% 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 Electricians?
Electricians salaries range from $39,430 (10th percentile) to $106,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,350.
How many Cost Estimators and Electricians jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 742,580 Electricians positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Electricians to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Electricians earns $62,350. 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