The average salary for a cost estimator in the United States is $79,520, but the range typically falls between $57,130 and $96,740. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $38.23, with a range between $27.47 and $46.51.
There are approximately 220,970 people employed as a cost estimator in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of cost estimators.The state with the best pay for a cost estimator is Massachusetts, with an average annual salary of $99,090, while Arkansas has the lowest average annual salary of $67,830.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,130 | $27.47 |
| Median | $74,740 | $35.94 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| 90th Percentile | $124,520 | $59.87 |
The salary of a cost estimator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a cost estimator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for cost estimators are Massachusetts, District of Columbia, California, Washington, New Jersey while the worst states are Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, South Carolina, Rhode Island.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,780 | $68,010 | $104,750 |
| Alaska | $34,910 | $82,190 | $144,960 |
| Arizona | $48,660 | $88,680 | $141,060 |
| Arkansas | $36,190 | $67,830 | $105,880 |
| California | $49,650 | $91,360 | $140,030 |
| Colorado | $48,170 | $83,430 | $125,330 |
| Connecticut | $55,070 | $85,910 | $128,090 |
| Delaware | $48,880 | $73,640 | $104,690 |
| District of Columbia | $66,710 | $95,420 | $130,690 |
| Florida | $39,640 | $72,800 | $113,420 |
| Georgia | $42,360 | $72,720 | $110,980 |
| Hawaii | $48,370 | $80,610 | $119,010 |
| Idaho | $44,990 | $74,450 | $104,020 |
| Illinois | $47,230 | $82,210 | $125,010 |
| Indiana | $42,200 | $71,660 | $102,480 |
| Iowa | $45,080 | $71,100 | $102,820 |
| Kansas | $43,490 | $76,900 | $115,950 |
| Kentucky | $40,000 | $70,460 | $108,810 |
| Louisiana | $44,740 | $73,890 | $112,110 |
| Maine | $37,440 | $68,830 | $105,630 |
| Maryland | $47,620 | $82,680 | $123,770 |
| Massachusetts | $56,160 | $99,090 | $136,280 |
| Michigan | $43,860 | $75,960 | $114,960 |
| Minnesota | $53,260 | $82,950 | $120,180 |
| Mississippi | $38,100 | $67,590 | $96,460 |
| Missouri | $40,460 | $76,730 | $118,310 |
| Montana | $44,300 | $69,080 | $102,980 |
| Nebraska | $45,060 | $68,580 | $92,570 |
| Nevada | $46,980 | $84,440 | $128,980 |
| New Hampshire | $49,150 | $81,050 | $122,220 |
| New Jersey | $47,830 | $85,650 | $130,350 |
| New Mexico | $41,490 | $78,500 | $130,350 |
| New York | $51,210 | $90,120 | $139,470 |
| North Carolina | $31,200 | $68,920 | $110,310 |
| North Dakota | $46,730 | $70,470 | $98,930 |
| Ohio | $41,810 | $74,810 | $116,760 |
| Oklahoma | $38,750 | $67,690 | $108,190 |
| Oregon | $48,170 | $79,610 | $120,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,190 | $79,490 | $117,600 |
| Rhode Island | $27,160 | $69,750 | $115,580 |
| South Carolina | $40,670 | $68,080 | $103,380 |
| South Dakota | $49,970 | $71,650 | $96,930 |
| Tennessee | $44,500 | $75,200 | $106,280 |
| Texas | $40,890 | $76,340 | $117,980 |
| Utah | $39,410 | $75,000 | $113,570 |
| Vermont | $55,470 | $77,760 | $109,200 |
| Virginia | $40,860 | $75,490 | $115,500 |
| Washington | $50,840 | $89,020 | $131,970 |
| West Virginia | $39,040 | $68,520 | $106,690 |
| Wisconsin | $48,090 | $72,090 | $100,740 |
| Wyoming | $37,610 | $72,180 | $108,050 |
Even between cities, the salary of a cost estimator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for cost estimators is San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, CA with an average salary of $110,820.The city with the lowest average salary for cost estimators is Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area, NC with an average salary of $49,610.
Areas with highest average salaries for cost estimators
Areas with lowest average salaries for cost estimators
The number of cost estimators in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of cost estimators has increased by 21,610. On average, the number of cost estimators has been increasing by 2.7% each year. The salary of cost estimators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of cost estimators has increased by $6,560. On average, the salary of cost estimators has been increasing by 2.2% each year.
Cost Estimators are part of the business and financial operations occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for cost estimators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all business and financial operations occupations jobs here.
$104,920 per year
$112,950 per year
$98,140 per year
$53,440 per year
$83,190 per year
$62,280 per year
