A construction estimator calculates the total cost of a construction project before work begins, analyzing blueprints, soliciting subcontractor bids, pricing materials, and forecasting labor hours to produce a competitive bid or internal budget. In the US, estimators work across commercial, residential, civil, and specialty trades, often specializing by project type or delivery method (lump sum, GMP, design-build). Entry-level estimators typically earn $55,000, $75,000; senior estimators and chief estimators at mid-to-large GCs routinely command $110,000, $160,000+, depending on volume and geography. According to Amundson Group, which places estimators nationally across general contractors and specialty firms, the role has become one of the hardest positions to fill in construction, strong estimators with preconstruction leadership experience are consistently in short supply relative to demand.