medium risk

Cost Estimators

SOC: 13-1051.00 · Job Zone 4 (Considerable preparation)

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

MediumEst. full displacement: 2046–2076high confidence

Raw task score: 50.9Protective discount: 23.0%14 tasks scoredModel: v1.0_gemini-3-1-pro-preview_20260228

AI Impact Summary

Cost Estimators faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 39/100. Significant displacement is estimated between 2046 and 2076. Of 14 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly in routine_cognitive. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.

Wage & Employment (2024)

Median Wage

$77,070

per year

Mean Wage

$83,160

per year

Employment

220K

workers

Wage Range

$46,330 - $128,640

10th - 90th pct

Wage Distribution

$46,330Median: $77,070$128,640

Protective Factors

Total protective discount: 23.0%

Skill Analysis

AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Mathematics10%

High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Reading Comprehension10%

High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Information Ordering5%

High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.

Memorization5%

Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Programming15%

Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

AI-Resistant Skills (7)

Complex Problem Solving75%

Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Coordination70%

Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Negotiation85%

Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Social Perceptiveness90%

Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Persuasion80%

Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Instructing75%

Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Manual Dexterity80%

Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

AI-Augmented Skills (5)

Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingWritingSystems AnalysisActive Learning

Recommendations

Skills to Develop

These skills are at risk from AI automation. Cost Estimators professionals should diversify beyond them.

Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.

Skills to Leverage

These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.

Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Negotiation
Negotiation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.

Tools to Adopt

AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.

Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.

Task Breakdown

14 tasks analyzed

Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.

Routine CognitiveAI: 90Risk: 85.2Time: 10%

Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.

Non-Routine InterpersonalAI: 30Risk: 27.0Time: 12%

Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 75Risk: 57.0Time: 15%

Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 70Risk: 55.0Time: 10%

Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.

Non-Routine InterpersonalAI: 30Risk: 27.0Time: 10%

Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 70Risk: 55.0Time: 8%

Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 65Risk: 53.0Time: 5%

Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.

Routine CognitiveAI: 90Risk: 85.2Time: 5%

Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 55Risk: 49.0Time: 5%

Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.

Non-Routine InterpersonalAI: 20Risk: 23.0Time: 5%

Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.

Routine CognitiveAI: 90Risk: 85.2Time: 3%

Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 65Risk: 53.0Time: 5%

Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity.

Non-Routine ManualAI: 25Risk: 19.0Time: 4%

Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.

Non-Routine AnalyticalAI: 60Risk: 51.0Time: 3%

Task	Category	AI Capability	Risk Score	Time %
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.	Routine Cognitive	90	85.2	10%
Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.	Non-Routine Interpersonal	30	27.0	12%
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.	Non-Routine Analytical	75	57.0	15%
Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.	Non-Routine Analytical	70	55.0	10%
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.	Non-Routine Interpersonal	30	27.0	10%
Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.	Non-Routine Analytical	70	55.0	8%
Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.	Non-Routine Analytical	65	53.0	5%
Prepare cost and expenditure statements and other necessary documentation at regular intervals for the duration of the project.	Routine Cognitive	90	85.2	5%
Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.	Non-Routine Analytical	55	49.0	5%
Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.	Non-Routine Interpersonal	20	23.0	5%
Prepare and maintain a directory of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.	Routine Cognitive	90	85.2	3%
Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.	Non-Routine Analytical	65	53.0	5%
Visit site and record information about access, drainage and topography, and availability of services such as water and electricity.	Non-Routine Manual	25	19.0	4%
Conduct special studies to develop and establish standard hour and related cost data or to effect cost reduction.	Non-Routine Analytical	60	51.0	3%