Cost Estimator salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Cost Estimators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $89,820 a year ($43.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,230 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 3% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $86,940. There are 2.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| 25th percentile | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| Median | $89,820 | $43.19 |
| 75th percentile | $111,230 | $53.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,230 | $65.01 |
| Average (mean) | $95,440 | $45.89 |
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 | $7,485 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,742.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,454.62 |
| Weekly | $1,727.31 |
| Hourly | $43.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $94,990 | $45.67 |
| Project Management Specialist | $116,740 | $56.12 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $99,040 | $47.62 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $82,550 | $39.69 |
| Management Analyst | $102,620 | $49.34 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $87,920 | $42.27 |
| Compliance Officer | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,320 | $29.96 |
| Logistician | $97,290 | $46.78 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $92,560 | $44.50 |
| Fundraiser | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $84,390 | $40.57 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $89,820 a year, or $43.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $135,230 a year. The top 25% earn $111,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,800 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $74,620 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 3,690 cost estimators are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.