Cost Estimators vs Management Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Management Analysts professionals earn $24,120 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 31.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $174,140 for Management Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Management Analysts$59,720 – $174,140
$46,330$174,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Management Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $59,720 | $-13,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $76,770 | $-16,940 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $101,190 | $-24,120 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $133,140 | $-33,510 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $174,140 | $-45,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $114,710 | $-31,550 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Management Analysts
893,900
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 Management Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,150 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $134,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $129,900 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,120 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $125,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Management Analysts?
Management Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,120 (31.3% 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 Management Analysts?
Management Analysts salaries range from $59,720 (10th percentile) to $174,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,190.
How many Cost Estimators and Management Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 893,900 Management Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Management Analysts to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Management Analysts earns $101,190. 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