Salary Outlook
With an average salary of $58,460 per year, cost estimators wade at the deeper end of the construction-work earning pool. The best-paid earned an impressive $95,950 in 2011, while the lowest earners took in $34,510. The other finance-related jobs on our list,, oil and gas extraction, and lessors of real estate industries compensate cost estimators best. The profession’s highest-paid reside in the metropolitan areas of Fairbanks, Alaska, Santa Barbara, Calif., and Framingham, Mass.
| Job Salary | Year |
|---|---|
| 2002 | $57,790.00 |
| 2004 | $56,050.00 |
| 2006 | $58,950.00 |
| 2008 | $62,670.00 |
| 2010 | $63,980.00 |
Average Cost Estimator Pay vs. All Construction Jobs
Cost estimators are top-tier earners in the construction field. Taking in a solid $58,460 each year, they earn more than carpenters, who rake in an average of $40,010 annually. Similarly, painters, construction laborers, electricians, and plumbers also make less than cost estimators, with take home pays of $35,430, $29,730, $49,320, and $47,750, respectively.
| Job Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Cost Estimator | $58,460.00 |
| Electrician | $49,320.00 |
| Plumber | $47,750.00 |
| Carpenter | $40,010.00 |
| Painter | $35,430.00 |
| Construction Worker | $29,730.00 |
See Complete List of Best Construction Jobs
Best Paying Cities for Cost Estimators
The highest paid in the cost estimator profession work in the metropolitan areas of Fairbanks, AK, Santa Barbara, CA, and Framingham, MA. The Taunton, MA area also pays well, as does the city of San Francisco, CA.
Fairbanks, AK
Average Salary: $86,310 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a cost estimator working in Fairbanks, AK is $86,310, which is $27,850 more than the average pay in the profession.
Santa Barbara, CA
Average Salary: $85,440 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a cost estimator working in Santa Barbara, CA is $85,440, which is $26,980 more than the average pay in the profession.
Framingham, MA
Average Salary: $83,970 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a cost estimator working in Framingham, MA is $83,970, which is $25,510 more than the average pay in the profession.
Taunton, MA
Average Salary: $83,870 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a cost estimator working in Taunton, MA is $83,870, which is $25,410 more than the average pay in the profession.
San Francisco, CA
Average Salary: $83,750 | See Job Openings
The annual median wage of a cost estimator working in San Francisco, CA is $83,750, which is $25,290 more than the average pay in the profession.
