Cost Estimator salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Cost Estimators in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median of $84,710 a year ($40.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,230 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 10% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $77,030. There are 2.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Baton Rouge, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| 25th percentile | $63,530 | $30.54 |
| Median | $84,710 | $40.73 |
| 75th percentile | $106,480 | $51.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,230 | $63.09 |
| Average (mean) | $88,230 | $42.42 |
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 | $7,059.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,529.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,258.08 |
| Weekly | $1,629.04 |
| Hourly | $40.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $81,170 | 470 |
| Lafayette, LA | $75,110 | 210 |
| Alexandria, LA | $74,890 | 60 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $74,570 | 190 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $73,800 | 100 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $72,480 | 140 |
| Monroe, LA | $68,030 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $66,290 | 200 |
| Hammond, LA | $59,760 | 40 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Project Management Specialist | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $62,800 | $30.19 |
| Management Analyst | $99,680 | $47.92 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Compliance Officer | $57,480 | $27.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Logistician | $78,840 | $37.91 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $55,150 | $26.52 |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Fundraiser | $79,150 | $38.06 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Baton Rouge, LA
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 Baton Rouge, LA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $84,710 a year, or $40.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn at least $131,230 a year. The top 25% earn $106,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Baton Rouge, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,970 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $63,530 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Baton Rouge, LA?
About 940 cost estimators are employed in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.