Cost Estimator salary in Decatur, AL
Cost Estimators in the Decatur, AL metro area earn a median of $73,650 a year ($35.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,400 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $74,990. There are 1.8 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Decatur, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| 25th percentile | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Median | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| 75th percentile | $88,040 | $42.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,400 | $58.36 |
| Average (mean) | $75,590 | $36.34 |
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 | $6,137.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,068.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,832.69 |
| Weekly | $1,416.35 |
| Hourly | $35.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $79,330 | 810 |
| Huntsville, AL | $78,670 | 350 |
| Mobile, AL | $76,980 | 320 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $74,800 | 150 |
| Montgomery, AL | $74,790 | 190 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $72,030 | 100 |
| Gadsden, AL | $69,430 | 30 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $69,200 | 90 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $68,080 | 50 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $65,670 | 130 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $62,100 | 120 |
| 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Decatur, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $67,710 | $32.55 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| Logistician | $89,500 | $43.03 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $93,230 | $44.82 |
| Project Management Specialist | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $92,290 | $44.37 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Management Analyst | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| Loan Officer | $69,800 | $33.56 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $57,850 | $27.81 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Decatur, 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 Decatur, AL?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Decatur, AL metro area is $73,650 a year, or $35.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Decatur, AL?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Decatur, AL metro area earn at least $121,400 a year. The top 25% earn $88,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Decatur, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,980 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $57,260 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Decatur, AL?
About 110 cost estimators are employed in the Decatur, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.