Cost Estimators vs Financial Specialists, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Specialists, All Other professionals earn $3,120 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 4.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $151,780 for Financial Specialists, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Financial Specialists, All Other$46,420 – $151,780
$46,330$151,780
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Financial Specialists, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $46,420 | $-90 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $60,140 | $-310 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $80,190 | $-3,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $109,120 | $-9,490 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $151,780 | $-23,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $93,890 | $-10,730 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Financial Specialists, All Other
127,450
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 Specialists, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $119,060 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $112,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $108,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $108,010 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $103,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Financial Specialists, All Other?
Financial Specialists, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,120 (4.0% 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 Specialists, All Other?
Financial Specialists, All Other salaries range from $46,420 (10th percentile) to $151,780 (90th percentile), with a median of $80,190.
How many Cost Estimators and Financial Specialists, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 127,450 Financial Specialists, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Specialists, All Other to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Financial Specialists, All Other earns $80,190. 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