Cost Estimators vs Marketing Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Marketing Managers professionals earn $83,960 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 108.9% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Marketing Managers$81,900 – N/A
$46,330$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Marketing Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $81,900 | $-35,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $111,210 | $-51,380 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $161,030 | $-83,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $211,080 | $-111,450 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $171,520 | $-88,360 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Marketing Managers
384,980
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 Marketing Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $176,240 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $176,100 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $175,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $173,880 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $171,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $83,960 (108.9% 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 Marketing Managers?
Marketing Managers salaries range from $81,900 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,030.
How many Cost Estimators and Marketing Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 384,980 Marketing Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Marketing Managers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Marketing Managers earns $161,030. 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