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Construction estimators (NOC 2234)

Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Insights from industry Related careers Career paths and resources
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About this job

Construction estimators analyse costs and prepare estimates on civil engineering, architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical construction projects. They are employed by residential, commercial and industrial construction companies and by major electrical, mechanical and trade contractors, or they may be self-employed. People in this occupation:

People in this occupation:

  • need strong math, organization, analytical, writing and communication skills
  • must have good computer skills due to the use of estimating software and document management programs
  • should have an interest in planning, decision making, problem solving, working with people, and the financial aspect of construction
  • must be able to handle stress during busy periods
Common job titles
  • estimator, contractors / trade contractors
  • estimator, electrical
  • estimator, mechanical
  • estimator, principal
  • estimator, professional
  • estimator-surveyor, quantity
  • estimator, contractors / trade contractors
  • estimator, electrical
  • estimator, mechanical
  • estimator, plumbing
  • estimator, principal
  • estimator, professional

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$70,180

Source: 2020 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2020 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

Source: 2020 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2021-2031)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2021 - 2026
  • 2026 - 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 970

  • 2022
  • 2026
  • 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
31.2%
300 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
68.8%
660 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2021:
70
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
-0.5%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
0
Kootenay
Employment in 2021:
20
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
-1.0%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
0
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2021:
2,170
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.1%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
680
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2021:
30
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
0.4%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
0
Northeast
Employment in 2021:
40
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.3%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
10
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2021:
410
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
0.7%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
110
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2021:
550
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
0.5%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
150

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Construction estimators:

  • estimate costs of materials, labour and equipment for projects based on contract bids, quotes, schematic drawings and specifications
  • advise on tendering procedures, examine and analyze tenders, recommend tender awards and conduct negotiations
  • establish and maintain tender process
  • prepare cost and expenditure statements and forecasts for a project
  • prepare and maintain a list of suppliers, contractors and subcontractors
  • liaise, consult and communicate with engineers, architects, owners, contractors and subcontractors, and prepare estimates on changes to cost estimates
  • may manage and co-ordinate construction projects and prepare progress schedules

Special duties

Estimators may specialize in estimating costs for structural, electrical or mechanical construction projects.

Work environment

Construction estimators typically work a 40 hour week, with overtime during busy periods. These workers spend a large portion of their day at construction sites; however, they also work in an office.

These workers may be exposed to hazards, including equipment-related hazards, chemicals or toxic materials. Safety precautions and protective equipment are worn to reduce risks.

There is a great deal of competition amongst construction estimator companies, so workers must be able to meet strict deadlines. Failure to meet a deadline can result in the loss of a week of work and preparation.

Industry sources report that construction estimators are increasingly required to understand the conceptual and planning stages of projects (i.e. early or conceptual estimates are increasingly required in addition to traditional detailed construction estimates).

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

2,600 workers are employed
68% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Construction:
70%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services:
13%
Manufacturing:
8%
Wholesale Trade:
2%
Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction:
1%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Insights from industry

Most job openings will arise due to retirements.

The Construction industry is tied to the economy. When the economy is booming, typically contstruction activity follows and vice versa.

Qualified graduates entering the job market can expect opportunities. Industry reports there is a shortage of qualified estimators. In particular, smaller companies need highly trained estimators who can also serve as project managers or schedulers.

Individual’s that have experience with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and Public Private Partnerships (P3) will be in higher demand.

Contractors prefer estimators to be employees, due to the sensitive nature of cost information, so a construction boom translates into a demand for estimators employed with companies. When the market is slow, there will be more self-employed construction estimators.

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Recent graduates can expect to begin as junior estimators, project coordinators, assistants to project superintendents or other support positions.

With experience, construction estimators can go on to become professional quantity surveyors, and advance to positions that oversee an entire project, such as senior estimator, chief estimator, project manager, risk manager, site supervisor, manager of pre-construction services, or vice-president of construction.

Estimators may specialize in estimating costs for structural, electrical or mechanical construction projects.

Additional resources

Profile last updated:
March 25, 2021
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