The salary of a Cost Estimator I in the United States varies depending on several factors, including experience, location, education level, marketing trend and company sizes.
As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Cost Estimator I in the United States is $59,403. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $48,242 to a high of $72,526, with most professionals earning between $53,561 and $66,272.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $66,272 | $5,523 | $1,274 | $32 |
| Average | $59,403 | $4,950 | $1,142 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,561 | $4,463 | $1,030 | $26 |
An entry-level Cost Estimator I with less than 1 year of experience earns about $57,485. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $58,531. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $61,146. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $62,786, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $62,991.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Cost Estimator I | $57,485 |
| Intermediate Level Cost Estimator I | $58,531 |
| Senior Level Cost Estimator I | $61,146 |
| Specialist Level Cost Estimator I | $62,786 |
| Expert Level Cost Estimator I | $62,991 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 1% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 6% |
| Experienced | 6% |
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 Estimator I compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $59,745 in 2023 to approximately $59,975 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Cost 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 Estimator I information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Cost Estimator I job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Cost Estimator I and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $59,403 | 68.7% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,544 | 5.3% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,495 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,188 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 9.7% | ||
| Pension | $3,208 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $7,311 | 8.5% | ||
| Total Compensation | $86,501 | 100% | ||
The average annual salary of Cost Estimator I is $59,403. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Cost Estimator I is $29; the average weekly pay of Cost Estimator I is $1,142; the average monthly pay of Cost Estimator I is $4,950.
A Cost Estimator I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Cost Estimator I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cost Estimator I is $74,925.
The highest pay for Cost Estimator I is $72,526.
The lowest pay for Cost Estimator I is $48,242.
Develops cost estimates for projects based on work scope, specifications, and contract proposals using applicable estimating methodologies and tools. Analyzes project requirements, plans, and specifications to identify labor, material, equipment, and service requirements. Uses benchmark data, trends, prior estimates, and historical pricing schedules to generate detailed cost estimates that consist of itemized lists of expenses, labor hours, material quantities, and potential cost variations. Depending on the complexity and type of project, may use different estimating methods, mathematical models, or specialized estimating software tools to generate estimates. Typically requires an associate degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.
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.
