As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Cost Engineer and Estimator I in the United States is $74,000. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $61,200 to a high of $78,967, with most professionals earning between $67,300 and $76,600.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $76,600 | $6,383 | $1,473 | $37 |
| Average | $74,000 | $6,167 | $1,423 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,300 | $5,608 | $1,294 | $32 |
An entry-level Cost Engineer and Estimator I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $73,500. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $74,078. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $74,660. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $74,776, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $74,854.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cost Engineer and Estimator I | $73,500 |
| Intermediate Level Cost Engineer and Estimator I | $74,078 |
| Senior Level Cost Engineer and Estimator I | $74,660 |
| Specialist Level Cost Engineer and Estimator I | $74,776 |
| Expert Level Cost Engineer and Estimator I | $74,854 |
| Entry Level | 1% |
| Mid Level | 0% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 1% |
| Experienced | 1% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Cost Engineer and Estimator I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $70,480 in 2023 to approximately $69,705 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Cost Engineer and Estimator I salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Cost Engineer and Estimator I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Cost Engineer and Estimator I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Cost Engineer and Estimator I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $74,000 | 70.0% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $5,661 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,108 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,480 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 7.9% | ||
| Pension | $3,996 | 3.8% | ||
| Time Off | $9,108 | 8.6% | ||
| Total Compensation | $105,705 | 100% | ||
The salary for a Cost Engineer and Estimator ranges from a minimum of $65,000 to a maximum of $81,500, with a mid-range salary of $72,000. This translates to approximately $5,417 per month at the mid-salary level.
Construction estimating can indeed be a stressful job. Estimators must manage relationships with design teams, subcontractors, and project owners, all while ensuring accuracy in their estimates. The pressure to avoid mistakes is significant, especially considering the salary range for this role, which typically falls between $65,000 and $81,500, reflecting the high stakes involved.
Engineering roles, such as Cost Engineers and Estimators, typically offer competitive salaries. Based on recent data, the salary range for these positions is between $65,000 and $81,500, with a midpoint of $72,000. While this may not reach six figures, it reflects a strong earning potential compared to many other occupations.
The demand for construction estimators is indeed high, with job growth projected at 11%. Average annual salaries range from $65,000 to $81,500, depending on experience and certification. As professionals gain expertise, their earning potential increases, making this a promising career path.
Cost estimating is a promising career choice, ranking #21 in Best Business Jobs. With a salary range from $65,000 to $81,500, it offers competitive compensation. The role combines analytical skills with project management, making it both challenging and rewarding. If you enjoy problem-solving and working with numbers, this could be a great fit for you.
Estimators can earn a competitive salary. Based on recent data, the minimum salary for a Cost Engineer or Estimator is $65,000, with a mid-range salary of $72,000 and a maximum of $81,500. This indicates that estimators can achieve a solid income, especially as they gain experience and expertise in the field.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
