Cost Estimators vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $16,530 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 21.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$46,330$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $66,030 | $-19,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $78,610 | $-18,780 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $93,600 | $-16,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $107,960 | $-8,330 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $135,320 | $-6,680 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $98,430 | $-15,270 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,530 (21.4% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Cost Estimators and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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