O*NET-SOC 13-1051.00 · US REFERENCE
Cost Estimators
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.
Skill importance below is an O*NET US occupational rating, not a global or individual benchmark. No score here is a job-loss probability or a prediction.
Examples of work in this occupation
- 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.
O*NET task statements describe US work; do not perform regulated or hazardous tasks without appropriate training and authorization.
Skills to examine first
Reading Comprehension
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2023-08-01
Summarise a public, role-relevant document in five points; verify each point against the source.
Mathematics
US occupation importance: 4.00/5 · rating last updated 2023-08-01
Check a public numerical example, including units and assumptions; explain the result.
Speaking
US occupation importance: 3.88/5 · rating last updated 2023-08-01
Explain a safe example of your work in two minutes, then ask which point was unclear.
Active Listening
US occupation importance: 3.75/5 · rating last updated 2023-08-01
Ask a peer to explain a fictional work problem; paraphrase it and check what you missed.
Critical Thinking
US occupation importance: 3.75/5 · rating last updated 2023-08-01
Compare two approaches to a fictional task and document one counterargument for each.
Writing
US occupation importance: 3.50/5 · rating last updated 2023-08-01
Draft a one-page explanation of a fictional decision for a non-specialist; ask for clarity feedback.
These prompts are RolePaths practice suggestions, not O*NET instructions, training or certification.
Related work to compare
O*NET marks these occupations as related. That is a comparison starting point, not a guaranteed career transition. Check local licensing and entry requirements.
Your next seven days
- Choose one skill above and a fictional or non-confidential work example.
- Practise for 20 minutes on three days; keep one small output.
- Ask a qualified peer for feedback against clear criteria.
- Reassess the same career and record what changed.
Source and limits
Occupation definition, task examples, skill importance and related-occupation links come from the US O*NET 31.0 Database. RolePaths selected the top six skills by importance and authored the practice prompts. Career fit, local salaries, automation timing and licensing have not been verified.