Cost Estimator salary in Ames, IA
Cost Estimators in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $76,920 a year ($36.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,380 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $76,040. There are 0.91 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $80,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,440 | $25.69 |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Median | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| 75th percentile | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,380 | $59.80 |
| Average (mean) | $80,550 | $38.73 |
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 | $6,410 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,205 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,958.46 |
| Weekly | $1,479.23 |
| Hourly | $36.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cost Estimator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,500 | 550 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,070 | 120 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,350 | 730 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 | 260 |
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 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Fundraiser | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Logistician | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Ames, IA metro area is $76,920 a year, or $36.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $124,380 a year. The top 25% earn $94,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,440 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,990 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Ames, IA?
About 50 cost estimators are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.