Cost Estimator salary in Columbus, IN
Cost Estimators in the Columbus, IN metro area earn a median of $80,800 a year ($38.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,390 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 10% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $73,430. There are 0.93 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $78,770, close to the median.
Pay range for cost estimators in Columbus, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,880 | $24.46 |
| 25th percentile | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| Median | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| 75th percentile | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,390 | $48.27 |
| Average (mean) | $78,770 | $37.87 |
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 | $6,733.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,366.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,107.69 |
| Weekly | $1,553.85 |
| Hourly | $38.85 |
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 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,130 | 1,630 |
| Evansville, IN | $77,290 | 240 |
| 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 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $74,820 | 120 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $71,200 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $70,690 | 190 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $69,000 | 60 |
| Muncie, IN | $63,870 | 50 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,310 | 100 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Logistician | $100,720 | $48.42 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,500 | $34.38 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Project Management Specialist | $91,510 | $44.00 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Management Analyst | $111,090 | $53.41 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,740 | $37.85 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| Loan Officer | $59,040 | $28.39 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $91,040 | $43.77 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, 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 Columbus, IN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Columbus, IN metro area is $80,800 a year, or $38.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Columbus, IN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Columbus, IN metro area earn at least $100,390 a year. The top 25% earn $94,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Columbus, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,880 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,580 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Columbus, IN?
About 50 cost estimators are employed in the Columbus, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.