SOC 131051

Cost Estimators

Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.

National Median

$77,070

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$77,070

Entry Level (10th pct)

$46,330

Experienced (90th pct)

$128,640

Total Employed

219,530

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$46,330 - $59,830
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$59,830 - $99,630
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$99,630 - $128,640

Highest Paying Locations for Cost Estimators

Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area

$106,590

+38.3% vs national

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH

$104,190

+35.2% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$103,030

+33.7% vs national

Massachusetts

$102,680

+33.2% vs national

High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area

$101,910

+32.2% vs national

Cost Estimators Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area	$106,590	60
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$104,190	3,860
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$103,030	3,520
Massachusetts	$102,680	5,340
High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area	$101,910	130
Worcester, MA	$98,550	470
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$97,990	1,680
Pittsfield, MA	$97,000	110
Chico, CA	$94,200	140
Springfield, MA	$93,790	290
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$91,350	170
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$90,940	130
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$90,710	550
Vallejo, CA	$88,090	220
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$86,540	9,770
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$86,300	4,490
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$84,750	90
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$84,740	2,010
California	$84,610	25,580
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$84,600	2,680
District of Columbia	$84,410	360
Vineland, NJ	$84,330	80
Napa, CA	$84,130	110
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$84,090	4,020
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$83,500	130
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$83,300	3,790
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$83,060	3,460
Lexington Park, MD	$82,960	130
New York	$82,940	9,790
Washington	$82,900	7,320
Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA	$82,250	220
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$82,070	110
Colorado	$81,990	6,020
Maryland	$81,490	4,380
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$81,480	4,850
Kokomo, IN	$81,440	40
Modesto, CA	$81,310	280
Redding, CA	$81,220	130
Barnstable Town, MA	$81,070	170
Bellingham, WA	$80,990	210
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$80,920	7,350
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$80,900	2,270
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$80,890	2,940
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$80,880	1,650
New Jersey	$80,880	5,130
Boulder, CO	$80,540	210
Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area	$80,400	210
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$80,360	300
Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$80,340	130
Nevada	$80,270	2,370

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Cost Estimators?

The national median annual salary for Cost Estimators is $77,070, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Cost Estimatorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Cost Estimatorss is Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area, with a median salary of $106,590.

How much can an experienced Cost Estimators make?

Top-earning Cost Estimatorss (90th percentile) make $128,640 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.