Cost Estimators Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $78,740 · Median hourly: $37.86 · Employment: 224,220
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 25th | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| Median | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| 75th | $101,850 | $48.97 |
| 90th | $130,820 | $62.90 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 13-1051
- Total U.S. employment: 224,220
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The mean wage of $85,390 sits 8.4% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $48,530, median pay is $78,740, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $130,820.
Cost Estimators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $74,990 | $36.05 | -4.8% | 3,000 |
| Alaska | $97,020 | $46.65 | +23.2% | 220 |
| Arizona | $77,010 | $37.02 | -2.2% | 5,760 |
| Arkansas | $61,470 | $29.55 | -21.9% | 1,400 |
| California | $85,460 | $41.09 | +8.5% | 26,020 |
| Colorado | $86,940 | $41.80 | +10.4% | 6,100 |
| Connecticut | $81,030 | $38.96 | +2.9% | 2,350 |
| Delaware | $79,290 | $38.12 | +0.7% | 730 |
| District of Columbia | $82,730 | $39.77 | +5.1% | 270 |
| Florida | $74,990 | $36.05 | -4.8% | 13,720 |
| Georgia | $76,800 | $36.92 | -2.5% | 6,010 |
| Hawaii | $80,360 | $38.63 | +2.1% | 1,040 |
| Idaho | $79,700 | $38.32 | +1.2% | 1,600 |
| Illinois | $82,750 | $39.78 | +5.1% | 5,990 |
| Indiana | $73,430 | $35.30 | -6.7% | 4,810 |
| Iowa | $76,040 | $36.56 | -3.4% | 1,870 |
| Kansas | $76,250 | $36.66 | -3.2% | 2,250 |
| Kentucky | $74,880 | $36.00 | -4.9% | 1,960 |
| Louisiana | $77,030 | $37.03 | -2.2% | 2,680 |
| Maine | $74,080 | $35.61 | -5.9% | 760 |
| Maryland | $81,190 | $39.03 | +3.1% | 4,580 |
| Massachusetts | $100,840 | $48.48 | +28.1% | 4,520 |
| Michigan | $77,990 | $37.50 | -1.0% | 6,960 |
| Minnesota | $80,810 | $38.85 | +2.6% | 4,310 |
| Mississippi | $71,230 | $34.24 | -9.5% | 1,280 |
| Missouri | $76,020 | $36.55 | -3.5% | 6,580 |
| Montana | $77,320 | $37.17 | -1.8% | 1,230 |
| Nebraska | $73,100 | $35.14 | -7.2% | 1,330 |
| Nevada | $82,200 | $39.52 | +4.4% | 2,240 |
| New Hampshire | $79,560 | $38.25 | +1.0% | 980 |
| New Jersey | $80,570 | $38.74 | +2.3% | 5,240 |
| New Mexico | $67,590 | $32.50 | -14.2% | 900 |
| New York | $80,430 | $38.67 | +2.1% | 11,980 |
| North Carolina | $74,730 | $35.93 | -5.1% | 8,030 |
| North Dakota | $73,280 | $35.23 | -6.9% | 730 |
| Ohio | $77,730 | $37.37 | -1.3% | 8,100 |
| Oklahoma | $67,800 | $32.59 | -13.9% | 1,860 |
| Oregon | $80,460 | $38.68 | +2.2% | 2,940 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,480 | $37.73 | -0.3% | 9,420 |
| Rhode Island | $81,990 | $39.42 | +4.1% | 590 |
| South Carolina | $70,260 | $33.78 | -10.8% | 2,880 |
| South Dakota | $74,950 | $36.04 | -4.8% | 1,030 |
| Tennessee | $75,650 | $36.37 | -3.9% | 4,340 |
| Texas | $76,980 | $37.01 | -2.2% | 20,760 |
| Utah | $79,610 | $38.27 | +1.1% | 2,800 |
| Vermont | $81,390 | $39.13 | +3.4% | 320 |
| Virginia | $80,530 | $38.72 | +2.3% | 5,840 |
| Washington | $86,070 | $41.38 | +9.3% | 7,470 |
| West Virginia | $77,480 | $37.25 | -1.6% | 830 |
| Wisconsin | $76,270 | $36.67 | -3.1% | 5,150 |
| Wyoming | $90,790 | $43.65 | +15.3% | 440 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
- Retail Salespersons — $35,410/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for cost estimators?
The median annual wage for cost estimators is $78,740 ($37.86 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays cost estimators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many cost estimators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 224,220 cost estimators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do cost estimators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $37.86. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.