Cost Estimator salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Cost Estimators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $79,130 a year ($38.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,230 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $77,730. There are 1.5 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| 25th percentile | $62,450 | $30.03 |
| Median | $79,130 | $38.04 |
| 75th percentile | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,230 | $60.69 |
| Average (mean) | $84,720 | $40.73 |
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 | $6,594.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,297.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,043.46 |
| Weekly | $1,521.73 |
| Hourly | $38.04 |
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 |
| Columbus, IN | $80,800 | 50 |
| Columbus, OH | $79,990 | 1,570 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $79,020 | 590 |
| Springfield, OH | $78,440 | 50 |
| Cleveland, OH | $78,120 | 1,390 |
| Akron, OH | $77,490 | 530 |
| Sandusky, OH | $77,490 | 60 |
| Evansville, IN | $77,290 | 240 |
| Toledo, OH | $77,230 | 430 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $77,000 | 810 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,730 | 1,690 |
| Kokomo, IN | $76,490 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IN | $76,450 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $75,350 | 170 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $74,990 | 290 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $74,820 | 120 |
| Lima, OH | $74,460 | 60 |
| Mansfield, OH | $72,290 | 70 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $71,720 | 70 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $71,640 | 40 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $71,630 | 330 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $71,200 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $70,690 | 190 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $70,560 | 290 |
| Owensboro, KY | $70,460 | 50 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $69,300 | 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 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,380 | $45.85 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Management Analyst | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $77,070 | $37.06 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $68,390 | $32.88 |
| Compliance Officer | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Logistician | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Fundraiser | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,200 | $37.12 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,350 | $45.84 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $79,130 a year, or $38.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $126,230 a year. The top 25% earn $102,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,800 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,450 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 1,630 cost estimators are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.