Cost Estimator salary in California
Cost Estimators in California earn a median of $85,460 a year ($41.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,790 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $78,740. California ranks 6th 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 $94,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| 25th percentile | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Median | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| 75th percentile | $118,060 | $56.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $150,790 | $72.50 |
| Average (mean) | $94,780 | $45.57 |
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 | $7,121.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,560.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,286.92 |
| Weekly | $1,643.46 |
| Hourly | $41.09 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $101,630 | 3,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,580 | 1,680 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $95,650 | 490 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $87,170 | 2,740 |
| Napa, CA | $86,240 | 110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $84,830 | 290 |
| Fresno, CA | $84,140 | 750 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,190 | 1,930 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $82,800 | 260 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $82,390 | 410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,260 | 7,600 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,380 | 440 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,330 | 290 |
| Chico, CA | $81,140 | 140 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,210 | 150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $80,170 | 150 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $77,730 | 240 |
| Redding, CA | $77,360 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $77,070 | 390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $76,900 | 3,160 |
| Visalia, CA | $74,430 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $74,430 | 60 |
| Merced, CA | $72,880 | 90 |
| El Centro, CA | $68,430 | 50 |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Fundraiser | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for cost estimators in California is $85,460 a year, or $41.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $150,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in California?
The top 10% of cost estimators in California earn at least $150,790 a year. The top 25% earn $118,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,750 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $65,690 or less.
How many cost estimators work in California?
About 26,020 cost estimators are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.