Cost Estimators Salary by State
The national median pay for cost estimators is $78,740 a year. By state, it ranges from $61,470 in Arkansas to $100,840 in Massachusetts.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,530
- 25th percentile
- $61,150
- Median
- $78,740
- 75th percentile
- $101,850
- Top 10%
- $130,820
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 224,220 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $100,840 | +28% | $58,870 | $151,780 | 4,520 |
| 2 | Alaska | $97,020 | +23% | $52,020 | $163,740 | 220 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $90,790 | +15% | $52,680 | $108,490 | 440 |
| 4 | Colorado | $86,940 | +10% | $58,890 | $137,520 | 6,100 |
| 5 | Washington | $86,070 | +9% | $59,650 | $141,540 | 7,470 |
| 6 | California | $85,460 | +9% | $51,750 | $150,790 | 26,020 |
| 7 | Illinois | $82,750 | +5% | $49,200 | $136,590 | 5,990 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $82,730 | +5% | $66,720 | $127,520 | 270 |
| 9 | Nevada | $82,200 | +4% | $49,200 | $132,350 | 2,240 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $81,990 | +4% | $60,180 | $130,740 | 590 |
| 11 | Vermont | $81,390 | +3% | $56,600 | $113,230 | 320 |
| 12 | Maryland | $81,190 | +3% | $50,660 | $130,970 | 4,580 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $81,030 | +3% | $50,020 | $136,830 | 2,350 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $80,810 | +3% | $56,640 | $125,370 | 4,310 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $80,570 | +2% | $50,390 | $137,080 | 5,240 |
| 16 | Virginia | $80,530 | +2% | $49,820 | $129,330 | 5,840 |
| 17 | Oregon | $80,460 | +2% | $49,970 | $133,460 | 2,940 |
| 18 | New York | $80,430 | +2% | $52,000 | $139,690 | 11,980 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $80,360 | +2% | $46,030 | $139,380 | 1,040 |
| 20 | Idaho | $79,700 | +1% | $48,200 | $137,530 | 1,600 |
| 21 | Utah | $79,610 | +1% | $51,740 | $126,800 | 2,800 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $79,560 | +1% | $51,640 | $129,030 | 980 |
| 23 | Delaware | $79,290 | +1% | $49,580 | $108,280 | 730 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $78,480 | 0% | $49,570 | $126,620 | 9,420 |
| 25 | Michigan | $77,990 | −1% | $46,660 | $125,520 | 6,960 |
| 26 | Ohio | $77,730 | −1% | $48,750 | $124,990 | 8,100 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $77,480 | −2% | $42,730 | $122,450 | 830 |
| 28 | Montana | $77,320 | −2% | $50,120 | $106,740 | 1,230 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $77,030 | −2% | $43,840 | $125,050 | 2,680 |
| 30 | Arizona | $77,010 | −2% | $37,440 | $127,880 | 5,760 |
| 31 | Texas | $76,980 | −2% | $45,760 | $132,310 | 20,760 |
| 32 | Georgia | $76,800 | −2% | $46,600 | $128,420 | 6,010 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $76,270 | −3% | $50,890 | $111,530 | 5,150 |
| 34 | Kansas | $76,250 | −3% | $48,860 | $118,310 | 2,250 |
| 35 | Iowa | $76,040 | −3% | $48,740 | $118,410 | 1,870 |
| 36 | Missouri | $76,020 | −3% | $44,840 | $128,270 | 6,580 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $75,650 | −4% | $42,440 | $120,990 | 4,340 |
| 38 | Alabama | $74,990 | −5% | $42,400 | $118,160 | 3,000 |
| 39 | Florida | $74,990 | −5% | $44,200 | $128,050 | 13,720 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $74,950 | −5% | $57,110 | $129,560 | 1,030 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $74,880 | −5% | $46,410 | $119,530 | 1,960 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $74,730 | −5% | $43,580 | $123,240 | 8,030 |
| 43 | Maine | $74,080 | −6% | $41,450 | $123,040 | 760 |
| 44 | Indiana | $73,430 | −7% | $50,630 | $106,640 | 4,810 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $73,280 | −7% | $52,730 | $104,050 | 730 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $73,100 | −7% | $50,040 | $105,640 | 1,330 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $71,230 | −10% | $41,600 | $118,040 | 1,280 |
| 48 | South Carolina | $70,260 | −11% | $46,970 | $119,590 | 2,880 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $67,800 | −14% | $42,700 | $104,750 | 1,860 |
| 50 | New Mexico | $67,590 | −14% | $38,960 | $109,610 | 900 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $61,470 | −22% | $38,480 | $110,040 | 1,400 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Cost Estimators salary questions
Which state pays cost estimators the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $100,840 a year (+28% vs. the national median of $78,740). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays cost estimators the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $61,470 a year (−22% vs. national).
Where do most cost estimators work?
California has the most jobs, about 26,020, with a median of $85,460.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.