How much does a cost estimator make?
The median cost estimator in the United States earns $77,070 per year, about $37.05 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all cost estimators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 13-1051.
Cost estimator salary range
Pay for cost estimators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,330 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $128,640. The average (mean) wage of $83,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,330 | $22.27 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,830 | $28.77 | |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $37.05 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $99,630 | $47.90 | |
| 90th percentile | $128,640 | $61.85 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for cost estimators (SOC 13-1051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Cost estimator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Cost estimators earn the most in Massachusetts at $102,680 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $62,870. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $102,680 | 5,340 |
| California | $84,610 | 25,580 |
| District of Columbia | $84,410 | 360 |
| New York | $82,940 | 9,790 |
| Washington | $82,900 | 7,320 |
| Colorado | $81,990 | 6,020 |
| Maryland | $81,490 | 4,380 |
| New Jersey | $80,880 | 5,130 |
| Nevada | $80,270 | 2,370 |
| Minnesota | $79,950 | 4,170 |
| Illinois | $79,880 | 6,220 |
| Arizona | $79,310 | 4,540 |
| Utah | $79,150 | 2,500 |
| Oregon | $78,970 | 2,920 |
| Vermont | $78,820 | 450 |
| Hawaii | $78,630 | 960 |
| New Hampshire | $77,720 | 970 |
| Connecticut | $77,130 | 2,080 |
| Iowa | $76,290 | 2,090 |
| Michigan | $76,080 | 6,110 |
| Rhode Island | $75,990 | N/A |
| Virginia | $75,970 | 6,570 |
| Ohio | $75,450 | 8,500 |
| Delaware | $75,390 | 1,000 |
| Texas | $74,930 | 21,810 |
| Idaho | $74,880 | 1,630 |
| Wyoming | $74,870 | 310 |
| Pennsylvania | $74,590 | 9,370 |
| Tennessee | $74,570 | 3,830 |
| Missouri | $73,360 | 6,990 |
| Maine | $73,090 | 780 |
| Georgia | $72,850 | 5,100 |
| South Dakota | $72,670 | 940 |
| Kansas | $72,600 | 2,520 |
| North Carolina | $72,230 | 6,620 |
| Florida | $71,920 | 14,640 |
| Wisconsin | $71,880 | 5,200 |
| Indiana | $71,590 | 4,800 |
| West Virginia | $70,630 | 830 |
| North Dakota | $70,250 | 620 |
| Kentucky | $69,490 | 2,290 |
| Nebraska | $69,110 | 1,580 |
| New Mexico | $69,040 | 980 |
| Louisiana | $68,500 | 2,410 |
| Montana | $68,360 | 1,210 |
| Alaska | $68,310 | 160 |
| Alabama | $68,030 | 2,460 |
| South Carolina | $67,420 | 2,460 |
| Mississippi | $66,410 | 1,300 |
| Oklahoma | $63,790 | 2,100 |
| Arkansas | $62,870 | 1,370 |
State median wages for cost estimators (SOC 13-1051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for cost estimators
The BLS projects employment of cost estimators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 226,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 219,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 17,600 openings a year for cost estimators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a cost estimator
The typical entry-level education for cost estimators is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a cost estimator earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Massachusetts, $102,680) and the lowest (Arkansas, $62,870) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 219,530 people work as cost estimators in the United States. At $77,070 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Cost estimator salary FAQ
How much does a cost estimator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a cost estimator is $37.05. The middle half of cost estimators earn between $28.77 and $47.90 per hour.
What is the highest cost estimator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of cost estimators earn more than $128,640 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a cost estimator make a year?
The median annual salary for a cost estimator is $77,070. The average (mean) wage of $83,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a cost estimator a well paid job?
At $77,070 a year, a cost estimator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 219,530 people work as cost estimators in the United States.
Which state pays cost estimators the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median salary for cost estimators at $102,680 a year. California ($84,610) and District of Columbia ($84,410) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a cost estimator a good career?
Employment of cost estimators is projected to shrink 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 17,600 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a cost estimator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for cost estimators as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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