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Finance & accounting

Estimator

Estimators work out how much the different parts of an engineering or construction project will cost.

Annual Salary

£22,000 to £40,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 40 a week

You could work: between 8am and 6pm;

2.9%
Future employment

There will be 2.9% more Estimator jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As an estimator, you'll:

  • research the cost of materials, equipment, transport and labour
  • use planning and scheduling software to estimate timescales
  • assess the levels of risk on a project
  • prepare quotes and cost summaries for senior managers
  • help with bids for new contracts and support buying activities
  • monitor projects to make sure costs are kept in line with forecasts

Working environment

You could work in an office or on a construction site.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly
University

You could do a higher national diploma or degree before starting work. Relevant subjects include:

  • structural engineering
  • civil engineering
  • construction management
  • quantity surveying

Courses at this level include topics like:contract tendering; estimating; buying; cost management

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • between 1 and 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a higher national diploma or degree
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could apply for an apprenticeship to become an estimator.

Options include:

  • Project Controls Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Project Controls Professional Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship
  • Construction Quantity Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship

These can take between 3 and 4 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Direct application

You may be able to apply for an estimator position if you have qualifications and experience in related work, for example:

  • surveying
  • construction project management
  • civil engineering
  • structural engineering
  • procurement

More information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Association of Cost Engineers for professional development, to make new networking contacts and learn about industry news.

Further information

You can find more details about working as an estimator in construction and engineering from:Go Construct; Tomorrow's Engineers

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With experience, you could become a project team leader, quality assurance inspector or contracts manager.

You could also move into areas like:quantity surveying; supply chain management; consultancy

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • maths knowledge
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • analytical thinking skills
  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • excellent written communication skills
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • business management skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
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