Cost Estimator salary in Columbia, SC
Cost Estimators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $65,850 a year ($31.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,390 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 6% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $70,260. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| 25th percentile | $55,310 | $26.59 |
| Median | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| 75th percentile | $82,570 | $39.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,390 | $51.63 |
| Average (mean) | $72,950 | $35.07 |
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 | $5,487.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,743.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,532.69 |
| Weekly | $1,266.35 |
| Hourly | $31.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $77,990 | 2,360 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $73,130 | 540 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $70,260 | 130 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $69,490 | 200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $69,210 | 550 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $68,890 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $68,550 | 340 |
| Sumter, SC | $63,450 | 50 |
| Florence, SC | $61,520 | 80 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Logistician | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Fundraiser | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $71,620 | $34.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $65,850 a year, or $31.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $107,390 a year. The top 25% earn $82,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,070 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $55,310 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Columbia, SC?
About 490 cost estimators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.