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Skills that raise your pay

• Estimating and takeoff software

  Digital takeoff from plans is now the baseline. Knowing the main packages before you apply gets you interviews.

• Building information modeling

  Pulling quantities straight out of a 3D model instead of measuring drawings. The direction the whole field is moving.

• A specialty trade

  Mechanical, electrical and concrete estimators are scarcer and paid more than general ones.

• Heavy civil work

  Roads, bridges and earthwork price very differently from buildings, and there are fewer people who can do it.

• Scheduling

  Estimators who can also build a project schedule move into preconstruction management.