How much does a cost estimator earn?
Cost estimators determine costs, quantities and prices for construction, craft and industrial projects: they prepare bids and post-calculations, assess risks and align with engineering, purchasing and site management – often with estimating/tendering software and increasingly BIM. Entry is typically via a commercial or technical apprenticeship, a career change with industry experience or a dual degree. Gross pay depends on region, trade, company size and responsibility. As a guide, qualified cost estimators in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,600–€4,500 gross per month; in training around €1,000–€1,300 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The training column covers commercial or technical apprenticeships, dual study or entry phases; qualified means practising cost estimators. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, trade, employer, region, estimating/BIM skills and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A cost estimator turns plans and scopes into reliable figures: quantities are measured, costs assessed and bids delivered on time. Day-to-day work combines precise desk work with coordination on risks, variations and prices – often under high deadline pressure before bid submission.
- Derive bills of quantities, volumes and cost rates from drawings, specifications and standards.
- Prepare bids and post-calculation; check prices and mark-ups for plausibility.
- Work with estimating/tendering software, spreadsheets and increasingly BIM/5D data.
- Align with site management, purchasing, engineering and subcontractors on quantities and risks.
- Document and assess variations, alternative items and deviations.
- Meet tender and bid deadlines and keep estimate versions up to date.
