Cost Estimators vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $14,100 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 22.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $40,670 | +$5,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $48,860 | +$10,970 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $62,970 | +$14,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $81,900 | +$17,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $105,150 | +$23,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $69,940 | +$13,220 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,100 (22.4% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Cost Estimators and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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