Cost Estimators vs Web Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Web Developers professionals earn $13,860 more per year than Cost Estimators professionals — that's 18.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $162,870 for Web Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Web Developers$48,560 – $162,870
$46,330$162,870
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Web Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $48,560 | $-2,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $63,140 | $-3,310 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $90,930 | $-13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $124,300 | $-24,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $162,870 | $-34,230 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $98,790 | $-15,630 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Web Developers
78,860
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 Web Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $161,750 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,490 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,040 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $120,750 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $117,560 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Cost Estimators or Web Developers?
Web Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,860 (18.0% 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 Web Developers?
Web Developers salaries range from $48,560 (10th percentile) to $162,870 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,930.
How many Cost Estimators and Web Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators positions and 78,860 Web Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Web Developers to Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 while Web Developers earns $90,930. 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