# Chief Estimator

Occupation

Canonical page: https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/chief-estimator

A Chief Estimator leads the cost-estimating function for a construction or engineering firm, overseeing bid preparation and pricing strategy across all active projects. Drawing on strong blueprint reading skills and cost estimating software, they analyze construction costs, materials, and labor to produce accurate, competitive bids. The role typically sits atop a team of estimators and requires sharp negotiation skills when working with subcontractors and clients during bid management.

Top skills: [Blueprint Reading](https://career.thegoodapps.co/skills/blueprint-reading), [Negotiation](https://career.thegoodapps.co/skills/negotiation)

## Career ladder

- Often comes from: [Senior Estimator](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/senior-estimator)
- Often leads to: [Vice President of Operations](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/vice-president-of-operations)

## Similar roles

[Construction Manager](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/construction-manager), [Cost Analyst](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/cost-analyst), [Director of Operations](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/director-of-operations), [Project Manager](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/project-manager), [Senior Estimator](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/senior-estimator)

## Open Chief Estimator roles (1)

- [Chief Estimator](https://granite.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Orlando-Florida/Chief-Estimator_R0000007781) at [Granite Construction](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/granite-construction) (listed on Granite Construction's own careers site)

## Likely next role (2)

Where Chief Estimators commonly go next: [Vice President of Operations](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/vice-president-of-operations).

- [Vice President of Operations](https://flir.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/flircareers/job/US---Lewisburg-TN/Vice-President-of-Operations_REQ36144) at [FLIR Systems](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/flir-systems) — Lewisburg, TN (listed on FLIR Systems's own careers site)
- [SAP NS2 Vice President, SaaS Platform & Operations](https://career.thegoodapps.co/jobs/3feb556c-5f98-4f43-9d8a-27496bf37f32/sap-ns2-vice-president-saas-platform-operations-at-sap) at [SAP](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/sap) — Full-time, Herndon, VA, $244,700 – $553,900

## Roles similar to Chief Estimator (118)

From [Construction Manager](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/construction-manager), [Cost Analyst](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/cost-analyst), [Director of Operations](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/director-of-operations), [Project Manager](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/project-manager), [Senior Estimator](https://career.thegoodapps.co/occupations/senior-estimator).

- [Project Manager](https://aoins.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/AutoOwners/job/Lansing-MI/Project-Manager_R_14137-1) at [Auto-Owners Insurance](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/auto-owners-insurance) (listed on Auto-Owners Insurance's own careers site)
- [Project Manager](https://elevancehealth.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/ANT/job/MA-WOBURN-500-UNICORN-PARK-DR/Project-Manager_JR206415-1) at [Elevance Health](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/elevance-health) — Woburn, MA (listed on Elevance Health's own careers site)
- [Director of Operations](https://ascentgl.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USJ/job/Oscoda-MI/Director-of-Operations_R1789) at [USA Jet Airlines](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/usa-jet-airlines) — Oscoda, MI (listed on USA Jet Airlines's own careers site)
- [Cost Analyst](https://gfs.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/usjobs-gen-gfs/job/Wyoming-Michigan/Cost-Analyst_R-55964-1) at [Gordon Food Service](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/gordon-food-service) — Wyoming, MI (listed on Gordon Food Service's own careers site)
- [Director of Operations](https://flir.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/flircareers/job/US---Redlands-CA/Director-of-Operations_REQ36112) at [FLIR Systems](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/flir-systems) — Redlands, CA (listed on FLIR Systems's own careers site)
- [Project Manager](https://fa-ewjt-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_2/job/19647/apply) at [EXL Service](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/exl-service) — New York, NY (listed on EXL Service's own careers site)
- [Project Manager](https://nclh.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/NCL_Shoreside_Careers/job/Miami-Florida/Project-Manager_JR02389) at [Norwegian Cruise Line](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/norwegian-cruise-line) — Miami, FL (listed on Norwegian Cruise Line's own careers site)
- [Director of Operations](https://taylor.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Monroe-NC---Venture-Solutions-Inc/Director-of-Operations_R29689) at [Taylor Corporation](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/taylor-corporation) (listed on Taylor Corporation's own careers site)
- [Cost Analyst](https://sbdinc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Stanley_Black_Decker_Career_Site/job/Elyria-OH-United-States/Cost-Analyst_REQ-1000048476) at [Stanley Black & Decker](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/stanley-black-decker) — Elyria, OH (listed on Stanley Black & Decker's own careers site)
- [Project Manager](https://rockwellautomation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External_Rockwell_Automation/job/Johannesburg-Gauteng-South-Africa/Project-Manager_R26-3033) at [Rockwell Automation](https://career.thegoodapps.co/organizations/rockwell-automation) (listed on Rockwell Automation's own careers site)

## People with this title (0)

No one holds this exact title here yet.