Cost Estimators vs Human Resources Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $62,960 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 81.7% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
$46,330$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Human Resources Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $83,790 | $-37,460 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $105,590 | $-45,760 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $140,030 | $-62,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $189,960 | $-90,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $160,480 | $-77,320 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Human Resources Managers
215,520
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 Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $62,960 (81.7% 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 Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
How many Cost Estimators and Human Resources Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Managers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Human Resources Managers earns $140,030. 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