Cost Estimators vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $38,600 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 100.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $26,240 | +$20,090 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $31,310 | +$28,520 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $38,470 | +$38,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $51,930 | +$47,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $63,460 | +$65,180 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $44,930 | +$38,230 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $38,600 (100.3% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Cost Estimators and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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