Skip to main content
AskVantage
US job code 13-1051High change by 2035

Cost Estimators

Machines can already do 32% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 63%. The job changes before it disappears.

See It For Your CountryWatch This Job

Share of the work machines can do

Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050

100%75%50%25%20262035205032%Half: 2031

Cost Estimators in 2026: the short answer

  • Today: machines can do 32% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
  • Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2031, and 63% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
  • Size: 224,220 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $78,740 a year.
  • Contact with people: it scores 60% for contact with people.
  • Also called: Acquisition Cost Estimator, Analyst, Construction Estimator, Cost Analyst.
  • Competency here means how well the best AI model, tool or robot available can do a task, scored out of 100: today using the best available now, and for later years the 311 prediction of what AI and robots will be able to do.

Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.

Machines can do today
32%of the tasks, 2026
By 2035
63%half the tasks by 2031
US median pay
$78,740a year, May 2025
US jobs
224k224,220 people
Contact with people
60%how people-facing
Step 1AnticipateWhat is changing? Free to everyone

How the work changes, task by task

The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.

TaskShare of the dayMachines can do2026 to 2035
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates24%
25% to 55%
Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues11%
30% to 60%
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates10%
25% to 55%
Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops8%
32% to 68%
Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work8%
25% to 55%
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products7%
60% to 90%
Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors7%
25% to 55%
Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations6%
15% to 40%
Step 2AssessWhy should I care? Free to everyone

The skills this job runs on

The skills cost estimators use most, most used first.

Professionalism and work ethicAnalysis and dataEconomicsFinancial skillsMoral intelligence and integrityEngineering designIT and softwareTrade craftsAdaptability and resilienceCommunicationLearning aptitude and mindsetCritical thinking and problem solvingLeadershipEntrepreneurial mindsetInterdisciplinary thinkingInterpersonal skillsSelf-management

Human value: what makes people in this job hard to replace

How much cost estimators rely on each one, from 0 to 10. 311 estimates, medium confidence.

  • Go-to problem solver7/10
  • Trust and reliability7/10
  • Know-how about the organisation4/10
  • Network and relationships4/10
  • Mentoring and developing others3/10
  • Culture and morale5/10
  • Initiative beyond the role5/10
  • Calm in a crisis5/10
  • Bridge between teams4/10
  • Reputation and influence4/10

Safer jobs nearby

Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.

Step 3ActWhat do I do about it? Free plan and up
What do I do about it

What should you do about it?

Open this job in the Workforce Starburst to see it for your country, then use these to act on it.

  • Watch This Job

    Get told when the outlook for this job changes.

    Free plan

  • Skills to learn next

    The skills that make this job, or the next one, last longer.

    In the Starburst

  • Check your readiness

    Ten quick questions on how ready you are.

    Free

  • Ask Vantage

    Ask what this job means for you and get a sourced answer.

    Free to ask

  • Futures Academy courses

    Courses matched to your gaps.

    Coming soon

  • Pay trend

    Where pay for this job is heading.

    Coming soon

  • Team plan

    Every role in your team, side by side, with a plan for each.

    Pro and Corporate

  • Shared workspace

    Work through it with your team, with notes and decisions kept.

    Pro and Corporate
Open In The StarburstCheck My Readiness

Questions

When will machines do half of the tasks of Cost Estimators?

Machines can do half of its tasks by 2031. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.

Will AI take the job of cost estimators?

Machines can do 32% of the tasks of cost estimators today and 63% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.

Sources and citing

Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 13-1051.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring, forecast and human value: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit (human value scores are 311 estimates, medium confidence); after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.

Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Cost Estimators: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/cost-estimators/