Cost Estimator salary in Colorado
Cost Estimators in Colorado earn a median of $86,940 a year ($41.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,520 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $78,740. Colorado ranks 4th of 51 states for cost estimators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| 25th percentile | $73,400 | $35.29 |
| Median | $86,940 | $41.80 |
| 75th percentile | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,520 | $66.11 |
| Average (mean) | $95,040 | $45.69 |
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 | $7,245 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,622.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,343.85 |
| Weekly | $1,671.92 |
| Hourly | $41.80 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $89,820 | 3,690 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $89,540 | 290 |
| Greeley, CO | $87,350 | 340 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $84,990 | 720 |
| Pueblo, CO | $84,580 | 140 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $78,650 | 160 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,520 | $44.48 |
| Project Management Specialist | $110,050 | $52.91 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $93,050 | $44.74 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| Management Analyst | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $83,590 | $40.19 |
| Compliance Officer | $82,450 | $39.64 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,620 | $37.32 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Logistician | $96,090 | $46.20 |
| Fundraiser | $74,440 | $35.79 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $92,560 | $44.50 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $87,150 | $41.90 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for cost estimators in Colorado is $86,940 a year, or $41.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Colorado?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Colorado earn at least $137,520 a year. The top 25% earn $109,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,890 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $73,400 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Colorado?
About 6,100 cost estimators are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.