Cost Estimators vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $24,280 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 31.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$46,330$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $62,410 | $-16,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $78,300 | $-18,470 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $101,350 | $-24,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $132,050 | $-32,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $180,550 | $-51,910 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $116,490 | $-33,330 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
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 Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,280 (31.5% 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 Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Cost Estimators and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Financial Analysts earns $101,350. 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