How to Become a Construction Cost Estimator in District of Columbia: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median construction cost estimator salary in District of Columbia is $82,730 per year - 5% above the national median of $78,740 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in construction management, building science, or business.
How to Become a Construction Cost Estimator in District of Columbia
1. Build trade experience
Estimators who have installed the work price it better - this is your existing advantage.
2. Earn a bachelor’s degree
Construction management, building science, or business; online programs fit around field work.
3. Learn the software
On-Screen Takeoff, Bluebeam, and cost databases (RSMeans) are the working toolkit.
4. Start as a junior estimator
General contractors and specialty subs hire from the field into estimating desks.
5. Advance
Senior estimator, chief estimator, or preconstruction manager.
Requirements in District of Columbia
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in construction management, building science, or business. There is no occupational license for cost estimators in most states, including District of Columbia. ASPE/AACE certifications valued. Confirm employer or role-specific certifications before you enroll, as details change.
Construction Cost Estimator Salary in District of Columbia
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia entry level (10th percentile) | $66,720 |
| District of Columbia 25th-75th percentile | $82,220 - $101,420 |
| District of Columbia median | $82,730 |
| District of Columbia top earners (90th percentile) | $127,520 |
| U.S. median | $78,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 270.
The District of Columbia Job Market: Construction Cost Estimator
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in District of Columbia | 270 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.39 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 0.27 |
| Mean annual wage in District of Columbia | $92,030 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.27, District of Columbia employs cost estimators at a lower concentration than the national average; expect fewer openings per capita and weigh relocation or remote-friendly specialties.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,530 |
| 25th | $61,150 |
| 50th (median) | $78,740 |
| 75th | $101,850 |
| 90th | $130,820 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 221,400 |
| 2034 projected | 212,100 |
| Percent change | -4.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a construction cost estimator make in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage for cost estimators in District of Columbia is $82,730 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 5% above the national median of $78,740.
How to become a construction cost estimator in District of Columbia?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in construction management, building science, or business. There is no occupational license for cost estimators in most states, including District of Columbia. ASPE/AACE certifications valued. Confirm employer or role-specific certifications. See the steps on this page.
How many cost estimators work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts about 270 cost estimators employed in District of Columbia (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Construction Cost Estimator in Nearby States
- Construction Cost Estimator in Connecticut
- Construction Cost Estimator in Delaware
- Construction Cost Estimator in Florida
- Construction Cost Estimator in Georgia
Related
- How to Become a Construction Cost Estimator (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Cost Estimators (SOC 13-1051), District of Columbia and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |