Cost Estimators Salary in U.S.
SOC 13-1051 · National · 2024 BLS OEWS
The median salary for a Cost Estimators in U.S. is $77,070 per year as of 2024. That works out to roughly $37.05 per hour. 219,530 people work as Cost Estimators in U.S.. Wages have grown 28% since 2014, when the median was $60,050.
Median Annual Salary
$77,070
Mean Annual
$83,160
Median Hourly
$37.05
Total Employed
219,530
Salary Distribution
$46k
10th
$60k
25th
$77k
Median
$100k
75th
$129k
90th
Salary by Industry
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation | $133,080 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $123,000 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $116,210 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $116,190 |
| Utilities | $110,900 |
| Utilities | $110,900 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $105,650 |
| Rail Transportation | $103,880 |
| Rail Transportation | $103,880 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $101,160 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $98,430 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $98,220 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $98,060 |
| Hospitals | $98,060 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) | $97,920 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $97,630 |
| Engineering Services | $97,080 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $96,790 |
| Utility System Construction | $96,590 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $94,990 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $94,780 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $94,250 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $94,170 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $93,860 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $93,600 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $93,590 |
| Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | $93,450 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $92,340 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $91,320 |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) | $91,270 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $91,270 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $91,270 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $91,270 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $90,990 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $90,620 |
| Temporary Help Services | $90,620 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $90,620 |
| Telecommunications | $90,490 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $90,020 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $88,500 |
| Office Administrative Services | $87,360 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $87,290 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $87,290 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $86,920 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | $86,920 |
| Employment Services | $85,760 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | $85,560 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $85,290 |
| Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $85,010 |
| Waste Collection | $84,800 |
| Land Subdivision | $84,590 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $84,480 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $84,480 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $84,430 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $84,430 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $84,430 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $84,260 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | $83,490 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $83,440 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $83,300 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $82,610 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $82,490 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | $82,270 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $81,850 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $81,850 |
| Real Estate | $81,830 |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $81,570 |
| Construction of Buildings | $81,490 |
| Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | $81,390 |
| Construction | $80,810 |
| Educational Services | $80,530 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | $80,010 |
| Other Building Equipment Contractors | $79,980 |
| Masonry Contractors | $79,910 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $79,790 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors | $79,580 |
| Insurance Carriers | $79,300 |
| Foundries | $79,210 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $79,130 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $78,890 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $78,880 |
| Facilities Support Services | $78,440 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $78,170 |
| Roofing Contractors | $77,860 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $77,750 |
| Fuel Dealers | $77,540 |
| Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers | $77,540 |
| Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | $77,060 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $77,050 |
| Finance and Insurance | $76,980 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $76,880 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $76,880 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $76,880 |
| Information | $76,720 |
| Other Support Services | $76,490 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $75,960 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $75,810 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $75,260 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $75,140 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $75,090 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $75,090 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $75,000 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $74,970 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $74,960 |
| Business Support Services | $74,680 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $74,670 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $74,600 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $74,600 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $74,550 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $74,270 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $74,120 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | $73,980 |
| Machine Shops | $73,710 |
| Manufacturing | $73,570 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $73,280 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $73,270 |
| Residential Building Construction | $73,170 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $72,750 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $72,680 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | $72,000 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $71,810 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $71,480 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors | $71,310 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | $71,120 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $70,780 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | $70,620 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $70,010 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $70,010 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $70,010 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $69,710 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $69,530 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | $69,500 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $69,320 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | $69,110 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $69,080 |
| Other Insurance Related Activities | $68,810 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | $68,810 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $68,710 |
| Investigation and Security Services | $68,630 |
| Security Systems Services | $68,630 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $68,460 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | $68,040 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $67,910 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $67,640 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $67,470 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | $67,430 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $67,100 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $66,880 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $66,870 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | $66,860 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $66,410 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | $66,370 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $66,370 |
| Wholesale Trade | $66,320 |
| Automotive Body, Paint, Interior, and Glass Repair | $66,310 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | $66,300 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $66,250 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $66,180 |
| Educational Services | $66,170 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $66,130 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $66,110 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $65,880 |
| Food Manufacturing | $65,790 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $65,620 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | $65,460 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $65,410 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $65,360 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $65,290 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $65,180 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $64,990 |
| Landscaping Services | $64,980 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers | $64,920 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $64,910 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $64,910 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $64,740 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | $64,510 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $64,470 |
| Automobile Dealers | $64,300 |
| Textile Product Mills | $64,200 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | $64,170 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $64,170 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $64,110 |
| Retail Trade | $63,580 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $63,550 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $63,330 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $63,270 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $63,150 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $63,020 |
| Publishing Industries | $62,980 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $62,630 |
| Specialized Design Services | $62,570 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $62,190 |
| Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance | $62,090 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $61,890 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | $61,370 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers | $61,190 |
| Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers | $61,190 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | $60,800 |
| Software Publishers | $59,920 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $59,910 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $59,470 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $58,980 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $58,850 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $57,980 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | $57,070 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | $57,070 |
| Exterminating and Pest Control Services | $54,720 |
| Truck Transportation | $54,280 |
| Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers | $54,260 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $51,830 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $51,830 |
| Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | $50,960 |
| Individual and Family Services | $46,960 |
| Offices of Physicians | $46,860 |
| Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $44,060 |
| Social Assistance | $43,800 |
| Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only) | $36,820 |
| Food and Beverage Retailers | $36,820 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services | $34,540 |
Salary Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $77,070 |
| 2023 | $74,740 |
| 2022 | $71,200 |
| 2021 | $65,170 |
| 2020 | $66,610 |
| 2019 | $65,250 |
| 2018 | $64,040 |
| 2017 | $63,110 |
| 2016 | $61,790 |
| 2015 | $60,390 |
| 2014 | $60,050 |
Related Business and Financial Operations Occupations Jobs in U.S.
Other occupations in the same group, sorted by salary.
| Financial Risk Specialists | $106,000 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $102,140 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,350 |
| Management Analysts | $101,190 |
| Project Management Specialists | $100,750 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $96,310 |