Free cost estimator job description template
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Cost Estimator job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Cost Estimator
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Cost Estimator who prepares estimates and bids for construction and manufacturing work by pricing labor, materials and time. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Identify factors affecting costs, such as production time, materials and labor
- Read blueprints and technical documents to prepare estimates
- Collaborate with engineers, architects, clients and contractors
- Calculate, analyze and adjust estimates
- Recommend ways to cut costs
- Work with sales teams to prepare estimates and bids for clients
- Maintain records of estimated and actual costs
What you need
- Bachelor's degree [or equivalent field experience]
- Experience estimating [construction or manufacturing]
- Skill with spreadsheets and estimating software
- Attention to detail
Nice to have
- Estimating certification
- Experience in [trade]
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Atlas Roofing and Remodeling, a regional roofing contractor.
Atlas Roofing and Remodeling is hiring an Estimator (Monday to Friday, with site visits). You'll measure jobs, price labor and materials and track estimates against actual costs. Estimating experience in construction is required.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a cost estimator does
A cost estimator prepares estimates and bids for construction and manufacturing work by pricing labor, materials and time. Typical duties include:
- Identify factors affecting costs, such as production time, materials and labor
- Read blueprints and technical documents to prepare estimates
- Collaborate with engineers, architects, clients and contractors
- Calculate, analyze and adjust estimates
- Recommend ways to cut costs
- Work with sales teams to prepare estimates and bids for clients
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics page for cost estimators lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry level and moderate-term on-the-job training, and mentions no license or certification requirement.
Training: Bachelor's degree, then moderate-term on-the-job training.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Cost Estimators.
How much does a cost estimator make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
How do I know my estimator is accurate?
Track estimates against actual job costs, job by job. A simple spreadsheet shows quickly whether estimates run high or low, and our guide to pricing a job shows the math.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.