CDCareer Decision

Cost Estimators Salary in San Jose, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Cost Estimators in San Jose, CA have a median annual salary of $97,580, with 1,680 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $61,550 at the 10th percentile to $170,550 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$97,580

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$46.91

Employment

1,680

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$61,550
10th
$79,520
25th
$97,580
Median
$127,920
75th
$170,550
90th

Local compared with national

San Jose, CA

$97,580

Median annual · 2025

United States

$78,740

Median annual · 2025

The San Jose, CA median is 23.9% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $18,840).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  2. 2.MathematicsImportance 4.0
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 3.9
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.8
  6. 6.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.6
  7. 7.WritingImportance 3.5
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.4
  9. 9.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  10. 10.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1
  11. 11.CoordinationImportance 3.1
  12. 12.Management of Financial ResourcesImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Apple AppleWorks
  • Assured Software JPP
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Autodesk Revit
  • Choice Job Cost
  • Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
  • ConEst BidTrac
  • ConEst Electrical Formulas
  • ConEst Intellibid
  • ConEst IntelliBid Design Build
  • ConEst JobTrac
  • ConEst Permit Trac
  • ConEst SureCount
  • ConEst T&M Billing Manager

Common tasks

  • Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
  • Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
  • Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
  • Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
  • Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
  • Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
  • Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
  • Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
  • Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
  • Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Cost Estimators salary in other locations

Other occupations in San Jose, CA