Cost Estimators vs Lodging Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $8,940 more per year than Lodging Managers professionals — that's 13.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $126,990 for Lodging Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Lodging Managers$39,490 – $126,990
$39,490$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Lodging Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $39,490 | +$6,840 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $50,040 | +$9,790 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $68,130 | +$8,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $90,670 | +$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $126,990 | +$1,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $77,460 | +$5,700 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Lodging Managers
41,350
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 Lodging Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $103,250 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $97,740 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $96,060 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $93,940 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $93,550 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Lodging Managers?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,940 (13.1% 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 Lodging Managers?
Lodging Managers salaries range from $39,490 (10th percentile) to $126,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $68,130.
How many Cost Estimators and Lodging Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 41,350 Lodging Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lodging Managers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Lodging Managers earns $68,130. 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