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Job outlook for cost engineers in the United States
Cost engineer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected cost engineer job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 9,800 new jobs for cost engineers are projected over the next decade.
Cost engineer salaries have increased 8% for cost engineers in the last 5 years.
There are over 10,313 cost engineers currently employed in the United States.
There are 65,278 active cost engineer job openings in the US.
The average cost engineer salary is $87,901.
Are cost engineer jobs in demand?
Cost Engineer job and salary trends over time
Cost Engineer jobs over time
Cost Engineer job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,313 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 11,305 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,776 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 12,089 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 12,084 | 0.00% |
Average cost engineer salary over time
Cost Engineer salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $87,901 | $42.26 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $86,291 | $41.49 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $83,945 | $40.36 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | $83,520 | $40.15 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $81,092 | $38.99 | +1.0% |
Cost Engineer jobs by state
Most common states for cost engineers
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 327 | 47% |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,144 | 17% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,371 | 16% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 909 | 16% |
| 5 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,018 | 15% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 140 | 15% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,026 | 14% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 852 | 14% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 574 | 14% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 190 | 14% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 826 | 12% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 649 | 12% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 383 | 12% |
| 14 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 542 | 11% |
| 15 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 969 | 10% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 368 | 10% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 77 | 10% |
| 18 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 147 | 9% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 65 | 9% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 57 | 9% |
Most common cities for cost engineers
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ridgecrest | 3 | 10% | $94,989 |
| 2 | Englewood | 1 | 3% | $88,867 |
| 3 | Fond du Lac | 1 | 2% | $62,289 |
| 4 | Olathe | 2 | 1% | $72,071 |
| 5 | Auburn | 1 | 1% | $94,926 |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $72,363 |
| 7 | Framingham | 1 | 1% | $91,885 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $93,441 |
| 9 | Portland | 2 | 0% | $83,259 |
| 10 | Raleigh | 2 | 0% | $75,576 |
| 11 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $91,617 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $73,810 |
| 13 | Columbus | 1 | 0% | $71,762 |
| 14 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $94,093 |
Cost Engineer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of cost engineer experts
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Weber State University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Cameron University
Wichita State University
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Florida
AACEI
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville
Texas A&M University
Michigan State University
Uises Gonzalez-Valle
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
What will help Cost Engineers increase their earning potential?
Uises Gonzalez-Valle: The beginning of professional life is not simple independent of the career path that you follow and ME and MET can have their own complications. However, some good advice would be to develop independence and adaptability which are key traits of an engineer, and always keep yourself updated with the most recent technological developments. If you are independent and adaptable, you have all the skills to learn and further your professional development. In addition, I would say it is essential to start building a network, including peers and mentors. Having a strong network of peers and mentors helps you significantly to progress in your professional line. From day-to-day to daily changing decisions, having a strong network to support would significantly help in building your professional path. Lastly, I would say that having a good Work-life balance is vital too, since our personal life is as important as our professional life. Remember, we should work to live instead of live to work.
What will help Cost Engineers increase their earning potential?
Dr. A. Tye Gardner Ph.D.: Getting a master's degree goes a long way to making candidates stand out and improving earnings. My recommendation is to tailor your MS degree to the specific field you're interested in working in, because employers really want to see candidates that are passionate about the field, and very few people survive a graduate degree without at least a little passion. Available salary data indicates that if you choose an affordable program (let's just say Weber State University), it takes only a few years to pay off the added cost, increases starting salaries, and dramatically improves long-term earning potential. Moreover, you can find electrical engineers with MBAs at C-level positions all over the country. It turns out being an EE makes you a good candidate for business leadership.
Charles Jenckes
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte
Mechanical Engineering
What skills stand out on Cost Engineer resumes?
Charles Jenckes: For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student
Jimmy Bricker Ph.D.
InstructorCameron University
Department of Agriculture, Biology & Health Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Cost Engineer job market given the pandemic?
Jimmy Bricker Ph.D.: Having the discipline to work remotely with minimal supervision and still be effective is the first trend of the day, it seems. No matter your discipline, chances are your new job will involve a virtual element. The trend for the agricultural employee hasn't changed much because of the pandemic.
Employers are looking for someone with a well-rounded knowledge of agriculture that includes agronomics, animal science, and business. Employers will train their recruits on the specifics of their enterprise and systems.
That process is much easier for them if the candidate has the background and mental agility to adapt their degree knowledge to learning their business and the candidate's specific job.
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorWichita State University
School of Accountancy, Barton School of Business
What experience really stands out on Cost Engineer resumes?
Dr. Atul Rai Ph.D.: Employers are looking for people who can integrate in multi-disciplinary environments to solve complex problems. They are looking for resumes that show quick learning. Such resumes will permanently be in great demand. Because the world is interconnected much more than it ever was, employees today will deal with customers, supply-chains, and fellow employees who are spread all over the world. It means that an experience that showcases the global perspective will be in demand over the long-term.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Cost Engineers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Daisy Huang: Above average, but you won't be a millionaire easily (you can with some effort, saving, and investing well). It is very unlikely you'll ever be *super* wealthy, but it's also very unlikely you'll ever not find employment in your field. You'll have a solid ticket to a modestly comfortable life, with some luxuries, too.
Cathy Herren Carr
Director, Alumni and Career ServicesUniversity of Florida
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Cost Engineer?
Cathy Herren Carr: A 2018 APLU study on critical growth areas for students showed that new professionals need to be prepared for the following:
-Understand their role in the workplace and have realistic career expectations
-Recognize and deal constructively with conflict
-Accept and apply critique and direction in the workplace
-Listen effectively
-Communicate accurately and concisely
I would encourage graduating students to challenge themselves through group work, both inside and outside the classroom, to embrace conflict and critique. Although that is difficult for many, if they can address these situations positively, it can lead to tremendous personal and professional growth. Communication is also critical. Students need to learn to listen effectively and communicate accurately and concisely to prepare themselves for the workforce.
What type of skills will young Cost Engineers need?
Chris P. Caddell: I anticipate the basic technical skills will largely be the same as today. However, I expect graduates will need greater familiarity with configuring software. This skill will be moving from an IT-exclusive capability to a useful skill that new graduates will need. From a softer skills perspective, young graduates will need to be self-motivated, self-aware, and outspoken. As our world moves to more remote working, graduates will need to be self-motivated because there may be no one (physically) there to push them. They will need to be self-aware of when they are struggling and need help. And they will need to be outspoken about asking for help when they need it and making sure they make their voices heard.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Cost Engineers to find work opportunities?
Chris P. Caddell: The best places for graduates to find work in the cost estimating field, at least for construction, is dependent in part on the industry. Smaller owners and contractors are prevalent throughout the U.S. in cities and large towns. Major cities continue to be the hub for owners and contractors that are involved with major construction projects. Houston, Atlanta, Denver, and Philadelphia are some of the more active cities, but it really depends.
How do you envision technology impacting Cost Engineers in the next 5 years?
Chris P. Caddell: I think we are moving in a direction to be able to capture more data on projects and using that to inform our future cost estimates. The ability to analyze large amounts of data will be critical to improving our estimating process. As technology starts to influence our construction techniques, our older estimating guides and metrics will become antiquated and no longer valid. Some new technology is helping to improve estimating through improved visualization of the data and the actual work to be performed. So technology will influence both the actual construction work and how we estimate it.
What general advice would you give to a Cost Engineer?
Christopher Clark: It is easier to get a job when you have a job. So, don't get too worried about finding the perfect job out of the gate. And, if you do start in something other than your dream job, work with your longer-term goals in mind. Be productive, put the team first, and be ready for opportunities when they come your way.
Steve Hague
Professor, Cotton BreederTexas A&M University
Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Cost Engineer?
Steve Hague: Get as much education as you can. It also is essential that you gain practical experience in the field for two reasons. First, you find out if this is really what you want your career path to look like. Secondly, you need to develop experience points for your resume and build a network of connections. Many jobs are the result of personal recommendations. Internships are a great way to gain this practical experience. If a student is participating in training, they must always go the extra mile. You never know who is watching, and this is how someone can build a reputation that will last a life time. It's essential to be a go-getter.
What experience really stands out on Cost Engineer resumes?
Marcus Duck: Students and graduates need to highlight their "soft" skills in addition to their horticultural skills. Any examples or experiences they can include to show leadership, communication, organization, etc. are ideal. This is why we encourage our students to become active members and leaders in the MSU Student Horticulture Association to build those soft skills and network with industry leaders.