Cost Estimator salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Cost Estimators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $70,450 a year ($33.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,190 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $75,650. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,440 | $20.40 |
| 25th percentile | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| Median | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| 75th percentile | $91,520 | $44.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,190 | $51.05 |
| Average (mean) | $74,460 | $35.80 |
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 | $5,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,709.62 |
| Weekly | $1,354.81 |
| Hourly | $33.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $82,870 | 3,740 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,540 | 110 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $81,300 | 1,570 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,660 | 630 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $76,160 | 80 |
| Dalton, GA | $74,840 | 70 |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,350 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,900 | 540 |
| Gainesville, GA | $71,960 | 110 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $71,480 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $71,400 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,380 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $68,550 | 340 |
| Savannah, GA | $68,120 | 240 |
| Valdosta, GA | $66,880 | 50 |
| Albany, GA | $66,720 | 50 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $62,920 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,270 | 110 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $62,100 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $87,240 | $41.94 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,660 | $29.65 |
| Management Analyst | $96,870 | $46.57 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,740 | $31.13 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,690 | $31.58 |
| Compliance Officer | $68,000 | $32.69 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Logistician | $73,680 | $35.43 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $57,220 | $27.51 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,080 | $25.04 |
| Fundraiser | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $96,560 | $46.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $70,450 a year, or $33.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $106,190 a year. The top 25% earn $91,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,440 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $56,830 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 440 cost estimators are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.