Cost Estimator salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Cost Estimators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $75,300 a year ($36.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,910 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 6% lower than the New York statewide median of $80,430. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 25th percentile | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Median | $75,300 | $36.20 |
| 75th percentile | $94,100 | $45.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,910 | $59.09 |
| Average (mean) | $80,400 | $38.65 |
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 | $6,275 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,137.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,896.15 |
| Weekly | $1,448.08 |
| Hourly | $36.20 |
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 York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,380 | 11,610 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $82,110 | 380 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $81,290 | 620 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $80,020 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $78,890 | 770 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $78,590 | 70 |
| Syracuse, NY | $77,970 | 420 |
| Elmira, NY | $77,400 | 50 |
| Kingston, NY | $77,020 | 70 |
| Binghamton, NY | $75,730 | 150 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $75,700 | 120 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $101,180 | $48.64 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,510 | $35.82 |
| Management Analyst | $84,710 | $40.73 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $75,990 | $36.53 |
| Compliance Officer | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,810 | $37.89 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,740 | $46.03 |
| Logistician | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Fundraiser | $73,480 | $35.33 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $61,590 | $29.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $75,300 a year, or $36.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $122,910 a year. The top 25% earn $94,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,570 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $60,170 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 650 cost estimators are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.