Cost Estimator salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Cost Estimators in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $63,630 a year ($30.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,830 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 23% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $82,750. There are 0.60 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $76,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| 25th percentile | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Median | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| 75th percentile | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,830 | $59.05 |
| Average (mean) | $76,130 | $36.60 |
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 | $5,302.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,651.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,447.31 |
| Weekly | $1,223.65 |
| Hourly | $30.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,640 | 4,610 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | 80 |
| Springfield, IL | $82,230 | 100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $80,590 | 80 |
| Decatur, IL | $79,230 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,730 | 3,170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $76,630 | 160 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,870 | 260 |
| Kankakee, IL | $75,230 | 60 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,360 | $32.39 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,840 | $31.65 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,260 | $36.66 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| Management Analyst | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Project Management Specialist | $90,770 | $43.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,800 | $35.96 |
| Logistician | $58,840 | $28.29 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,560 | $34.89 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $50,440 | $24.25 |
| Fundraiser | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,590 | $35.86 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,920 | $31.21 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $100,150 | $48.15 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $63,630 a year, or $30.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $122,830 a year. The top 25% earn $91,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,420 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,040 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 60 cost estimators are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.