Cost Estimator salary in Appleton, WI
Cost Estimators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $76,230 a year ($36.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,940 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $76,270. There are 2.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| 25th percentile | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| Median | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| 75th percentile | $96,480 | $46.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,940 | $54.30 |
| Average (mean) | $78,470 | $37.72 |
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 | $6,352.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,176.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,931.92 |
| Weekly | $1,465.96 |
| Hourly | $36.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $79,030 | 130 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $78,090 | 1,400 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $77,710 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $77,330 | 140 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $75,740 | 200 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $75,250 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,150 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,120 | 400 |
| Madison, WI | $73,420 | 720 |
| Wausau, WI | $71,850 | 150 |
| Kenosha, WI | $68,370 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $98,290 | $47.26 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,110 | $31.30 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $70,940 | $34.11 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Management Analyst | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Logistician | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $97,750 | $46.99 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,950 | $32.67 |
| Fundraiser | $63,270 | $30.42 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Appleton, WI metro area is $76,230 a year, or $36.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $112,940 a year. The top 25% earn $96,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,630 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,500 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Appleton, WI?
About 290 cost estimators are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.