Cost Estimators vs Medical and Health Services Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn $40,890 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 53.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $219,080 for Medical and Health Services Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Medical and Health Services Managers$69,680 – $219,080
$46,330$219,080
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Medical and Health Services Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $69,680 | $-23,350 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $88,560 | $-28,730 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $117,960 | $-40,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $162,420 | $-62,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $219,080 | $-90,440 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $137,730 | $-54,570 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Medical and Health Services Managers
565,840
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 Medical and Health Services Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,750 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $167,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $160,640 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $157,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $153,910 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Medical and Health Services Managers?
Medical and Health Services Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $40,890 (53.1% 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 Medical and Health Services Managers?
Medical and Health Services Managers salaries range from $69,680 (10th percentile) to $219,080 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,960.
How many Cost Estimators and Medical and Health Services Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 565,840 Medical and Health Services Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Medical and Health Services Managers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Medical and Health Services Managers earns $117,960. 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