Cost Estimator salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Cost Estimators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $62,100 a year ($29.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,520 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 19% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $76,800. There are 1.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $69,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| 25th percentile | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Median | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| 75th percentile | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,520 | $50.25 |
| Average (mean) | $69,120 | $33.23 |
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 | $5,175 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,587.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,388.46 |
| Weekly | $1,194.23 |
| Hourly | $29.86 |
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 |
| Birmingham, AL | $79,330 | 810 |
| Huntsville, AL | $78,670 | 350 |
| Mobile, AL | $76,980 | 320 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $76,160 | 80 |
| Dalton, GA | $74,840 | 70 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $74,800 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $74,790 | 190 |
| Decatur, AL | $73,650 | 110 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $72,030 | 100 |
| Gainesville, GA | $71,960 | 110 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $71,480 | 90 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70,450 | 440 |
| Gadsden, AL | $69,430 | 30 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $69,200 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $68,550 | 340 |
| Savannah, GA | $68,120 | 240 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $68,080 | 50 |
| Valdosta, GA | $66,880 | 50 |
| Albany, GA | $66,720 | 50 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $65,670 | 130 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $62,920 | 70 |
| Dothan, AL | $61,400 | 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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,550 | $31.52 |
| Management Analyst | $83,390 | $40.09 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Project Management Specialist | $98,470 | $47.34 |
| Compliance Officer | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $58,310 | $28.03 |
| Logistician | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $52,250 | $25.12 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $44,930 | $21.60 |
| Fundraiser | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,640 | $35.41 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $62,100 a year, or $29.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $104,520 a year. The top 25% earn $82,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,150 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $48,840 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 120 cost estimators are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.