Cost Estimator salary in Alabama
Cost Estimators in Alabama earn a median of $74,990 a year ($36.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,160 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Alabama ranks 38th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,400 | $20.39 |
| 25th percentile | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| Median | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| 75th percentile | $92,970 | $44.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,160 | $56.81 |
| Average (mean) | $77,050 | $37.04 |
Half of cost estimators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,249.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,124.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,884.23 |
| Weekly | $1,442.12 |
| Hourly | $36.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cost Estimator salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $79,330 | 810 |
| Huntsville, AL | $78,670 | 350 |
| Mobile, AL | $76,980 | 320 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $74,800 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $74,790 | 190 |
| Decatur, AL | $73,650 | 110 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $72,030 | 100 |
| Gadsden, AL | $69,430 | 30 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $69,200 | 90 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $68,080 | 50 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $65,670 | 130 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $62,100 | 120 |
| Dothan, AL | $61,400 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for cost estimators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $100,840 |
| Alaska | $97,020 |
| Wyoming | $90,790 |
| Colorado | $86,940 |
| Washington | $86,070 |
| California | $85,460 |
| Illinois | $82,750 |
| District of Columbia | $82,730 |
| Nevada | $82,200 |
| Rhode Island | $81,990 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,030 | $35.59 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $59,530 | $28.62 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Logistician | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| Management Analyst | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,490 | $31.00 |
| Fundraiser | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $57,710 | $27.74 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,180 | $25.09 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $48,120 | $23.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Alabama?
The median salary for cost estimators in Alabama is $74,990 a year, or $36.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Alabama earn at least $118,160 a year. The top 25% earn $92,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,400 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $53,890 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Alabama?
About 3,000 cost estimators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.