Cost Estimators vs Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $780 more per year than Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers professionals — that's 1.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $115,280 for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$47,640 – $115,280
$46,330$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $47,640 | $-1,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $58,980 | +$850 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $76,290 | +$780 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $97,190 | +$2,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $115,280 | +$13,360 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $79,320 | +$3,840 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
666,990
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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $150,650 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $115,630 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $112,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $780 (1.0% 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 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers?
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries range from $47,640 (10th percentile) to $115,280 (90th percentile), with a median of $76,290.
How many Cost Estimators and Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 666,990 Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers earns $76,290. 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