Cost Estimator (13-1051.00)

Career Family

Business & Financial Operations → Estimating & Bids

Fit Summary

Conventional (C) + Investigative (I) + Realistic (R); MBTI often ISTJ/INTJ/ESTJ — numbers, specs, and risk tradeoffs.

Career Overview

Compile and analyze data to estimate labor, materials, and time for manufacturing or construction projects; interpret drawings/specs; request vendor quotes; prepare bids and track variances.

Credential Pathways

Typical Education: Bachelor’s in construction management/engineering/business or related experience (Job Zone 4).

Pathways: Junior estimator → estimator → senior/lead → preconstruction/estimating manager.

Regulatory Moat: Bidding laws, contract terms, and audit trails; proprietary historical cost data.

Alternative Pathways: Project controls, procurement, or operations planning.

Environment & Lifestyle

• Work Environment: Office/site visits; deadlines around bid dates.
• Sensory/Social Load: Moderate — vendor/PM coordination.
• Physicality/Fieldwork: Low–moderate — occasional site walks.
• Geographic Anchoring: Construction/manufacturing hubs.
• Remote Amenability: High for takeoffs and modeling.

Future-Proofing Snapshot

• AI Augmentation Potential: High — takeoff, risk modeling, and quoting.
• AI Displacement Risk: Medium — routine takeoffs may automate.
• AI New Task Creation: Some — model validation and scenario planning.
• AI Skill Shift Intensity: Medium — BIM/estimating tools.
• Automation Risk Score: Medium.
• Human-Core Score: Strong — negotiation and judgment.

Risks / Watchpoints

• Tight bid timelines and incomplete drawings.
• Commodity price volatility and vendor risk.
• Liability for under‑estimation; assumptions must be documented.

Notes on Fit

Ideal for Conventional/Investigative students who enjoy quantitative analysis tied to real projects.

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