Cost Estimators
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 860 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about half of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the second most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate nearly every task in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Construction and Building Inspectors
Very similar workslightly less pay5,482 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$81,618 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
- Mathematics
New skills to build
- Public Safety and Security
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Quality Control Analysis
- Operations Monitoring
Construction Managers
Similar work+93% pay2,170 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 93% more—$157,969 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Building and Construction
- Public Safety and Security
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Quality Control Analysis
Architectural and Engineering Managers
Similar work+118% pay1,869 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 118% more—$178,657 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Chemistry
- Quality Control Analysis
- Science
- Engineering and Technology
- Operations Monitoring
Civil Engineers
Similar work+30% pay1,146 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 30% more—$106,668 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Mathematics
- Inductive Reasoning
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Science
- Transportation
- Building and Construction
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay96 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$80,402 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires an associate's degree.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Mathematics
- Written Comprehension
- Computers and Electronics
- Oral Comprehension
- Reading Comprehension
New skills to build
- Mechanical
- Quality Control Analysis
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Operations Monitoring
- Finger Dexterity
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Somewhat similar work+20% pay3,228 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 20% more—$98,294 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Speaking
- Building and Construction
New skills to build
- Quality Control Analysis
- Control Precision
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Operation and Control
Sales Engineers
Somewhat similar work+70% pay215 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 70% more—$138,733 vs your $81,776 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Engineering and Technology
- English Language
- Persuasion