▼21%
$67,273
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$41k
MEDIAN
$67k
90%
$159k
The average salary for a Cost Estimator is $67,273 in 2025
Base Salary
$41k - $159k
Bonus
$2k - $7k
Profit Sharing
$0 - $5k
Total Pay
$31k - $159k
Is Average Experienced Cost Estimator with Financial Analysis Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
EXPLORE BY:
Featured Content
‹
Remote Work
New research shows how to set pay for remote employees
Gender Pay Gap
New research shows that each woman experiences the disparity of gender pay gap in different ways, depending on her position, age, race and education.
Compensation Best Practices Report
From compensation planning to variable pay to pay equity analysis, we surveyed 4,900+ organizations on how they manage compensation.
Salary Budget Survey Report
See how organizations are shifting their salary budgets this year.
Retention Report
Get strategies you can use to retain top talent and learn how impactful employee retention really is.
Variable Pay Playbook
Before you decide whether variable pay is right for your org, get a deeper understanding of the variable pay options and the cultural impact of pay choices.
›
What is the Pay by Experience Level for Cost Estimators?
What Do Cost Estimators Do?
Cost Estimator Tasks
- Produce cost estimates for a project based on project plans and discussions with clients and engineers.
- Analyze current processes, personnel, and materials to identify methods for reducing costs.
- Make new cost estimates as project progresses, and discuss changes with engineers, contractors, and clients.
- Conduct research to determine needs for personnel, machinery, materials, and other factors which affect costs.
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Cost Estimator
Medical
100%
Dental
73%
Vision
55%
Gender Breakdown for Cost Estimators
Male
54.5%
Female
45.5%
This data is based on 11 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Cost Estimators
What is the highest pay for Cost Estimators?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Cost Estimator is $159k / year
What is the lowest pay for Cost Estimators?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Cost Estimator is $41k / year
How can Cost Estimators increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Cost Estimator is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Cost Estimator that oversees more junior Cost Estimators, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.