Senior Estimator
M2-02M2 Electrical estimating · Senior level · O*NET 13-1051.00
- Texas median
whole occupation, 2025 - $76,980
- work over
40 h a week - 45%
- load index
from O*NET data - 1.3/5
- Texas jobs
2024 to 2034 - +2.0%
Pay
This level's pay
No headline for this level: records that name this level: only 7 H-1B filings (headline needs 30 or more). The records are listed below with their year and size; the occupation-wide figure further down is for all experience levels.
- H-1B filings, n = 7, TX+AZ, 7 filings, 2026: $106,900 a year (median of 7 H-1B filings), SOC 13-1051 and job title contains every word of 'Senior Estimator', TX+AZ, effective 2026-06-30 source
All pay records and context (3)
- H-1B filings, n = 7, TX+AZ, 7 filings, 2026: $106,900 a year (median of 7 H-1B filings), SOC 13-1051 and job title contains every word of 'Senior Estimator', TX+AZ, effective 2026-06-30 source
- DOL prevailing-wage levels I-IV for the whole occupation (wage tiers set by DOL, not job titles or seniority): Level I $76,660 · Level II $70,736 · Level III $87,000 · Level IV $135,000 (76 filings, TX) Base wages offered on H-1B/E-3 Labor Condition Applications (TX and AZ, FY2026 Q1-Q3); covers only employers who filed. source
- DOL prevailing-wage levels I-IV for the whole occupation (wage tiers set by DOL, not job titles or seniority): Level I $51,459 · Level II $72,000 · Level III $91,958 · Level IV $111,692 (28 filings, AZ) Base wages offered on H-1B/E-3 Labor Condition Applications (TX and AZ, FY2026 Q1-Q3); covers only employers who filed. source
Whole occupation: all Cost Estimators, Texas BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000013105113 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 20,760 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000013105101).
BLS OEWS May 2025
- Series OEUS480000000000013105113 (median), Texas, May 2025, read 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Base pay (straight-time, excludes overtime).
- Based on an estimated 20,760 jobs in Texas (series OEUS480000000000013105101).
Outlook 2024 to 2034, all Cost Estimators, not level-specific TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
TWC, BLS
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- Texas
- +2.0% jobs · about 1,830 openings a year (21,490 jobs in 2024)
- United States
- -4.2% jobs · about 16,900 openings a year (221,400 jobs in 2024)
Openings include people retiring or changing jobs, not only growth.
Hours O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2023, n = 22 respondents, O*NET OnLine
O*NET 31.0
- Duration of Typical Work Week (4.C.3.d.8), O*NET Work Context, data 08/2023, n = 22 respondents, O*NET OnLine
Schedule: regular 64% · irregular 36% · seasonal 0%
Physical load 1.3 of 5, our index from O*NET Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (1.3, 6 measures) and an exposure index (1.27, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Method
- Engineer Tsai index (et_physical_v1): mean of a body index (1.3, 6 measures) and an exposure index (1.27, 7 measures), built from O*NET Work Context means, 1 to 5: Spend Time Standing; Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles; Spend Time Walking or Running; Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling; Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance; Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body; Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions; Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures; Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions; Exposed to High Places; Exposed to Hazardous Conditions; Exposed to Hazardous Equipment; Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection.
- O*NET OnLine
Body
- Standing1.81
- Walking or running1.5
- Climbing ladders1.18
- Kneeling or crawling1.14
- Keeping balance1.09
- Bending or twisting1.09
Exposure
- Outdoors, all weather1.52
- Very hot or cold1.29
- High places1.25
- Hazardous equipment1.23
- Protective gear1.23
- Hazardous conditions1.19
- Cramped space1.18
Getting in
- License
- No license for this job title at TDLR; the employer needs a TDLR Electrical Contractor license with a Master Electrician of record. Doing electrical work yourself needs your own TDLR license.
- Degree
- 86% hold a bachelor's or higher; most common: Bachelor's Degree
- Experience
- Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years of related experience is the most common answer (50% of workers).
O*NET
- O*NET Related Work Experience, Cost Estimators, O*NET OnLine
- Preparation
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Why this level
- Senior: Title contains 'Senior'. Rung 2 of 3 on 'Electrical estimating'.
Next stop M2 Estimating Manager
Gates checked: Most people in both jobs hold a bachelor's or higher (O*NET: 86%).
Moves to the side 6
- I1 Facilities Engineering Manager O*NET lists Architectural and Engineering Managers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.90 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band).
- B1 Electrical Superintendent O*NET lists Construction Managers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.87 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band).
- M Industrial Engineer O*NET lists Industrial Engineers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.84 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band).
- M Logistics Engineer O*NET lists Logistics Engineers as a related occupation (Primary-Short); skills and knowledge profile similarity r = 0.84 (same lateral rule, started from this rung; target is the related occupation's role nearest this rung's level band).
What the work is 6 core tasks
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.
- 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.
- Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
Core tasks ranked by O*NET task Importance (IM, 1-5), top 6.
Top skills
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
- Complex Problem Solving
Sources (4)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, Texas, series OEUS480000000000013105113, read 2026-10-03
- Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections (via Projections Central) 2024-2034, Texas, read 2026-10-03
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024-2034, United States, read 2026-10-03
- O*NET 31.0 Database (August 2026), 13-1051.00 Cost Estimators, read 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Engineer Tsai has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 · O*NET license
Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Base pay; excludes overtime. Outlook: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (United States) and Texas Workforce Commission long-term projections 2024-2034, read through Projections Central.
