Cost Estimator salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Cost Estimators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $80,200 a year ($38.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,140 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 3% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $77,990. 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 $87,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Median | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| 75th percentile | $106,810 | $51.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Average (mean) | $87,150 | $41.90 |
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 | $6,683.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,341.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,084.62 |
| Weekly | $1,542.31 |
| Hourly | $38.56 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $80,550 | 180 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $78,310 | 330 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $77,780 | 220 |
| Flint, MI | $76,250 | 200 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $76,030 | 1,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $75,940 | 160 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $74,720 | 50 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $74,010 | 80 |
| Jackson, MI | $73,650 | 70 |
| Monroe, MI | $72,970 | 70 |
| Bay City, MI | $71,660 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Niles, MI | $70,720 | 70 |
| Midland, MI | $69,990 | 60 |
| Traverse City, MI | $63,070 | 140 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $105,350 | $50.65 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,830 | $36.46 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $84,970 | $40.85 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Logistician | $93,130 | $44.78 |
| Management Analyst | $100,570 | $48.35 |
| Compliance Officer | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,530 | $32.47 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $73,760 | $35.46 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $83,170 | $39.99 |
| Fundraiser | $68,090 | $32.73 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $80,200 a year, or $38.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $130,140 a year. The top 25% earn $106,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,640 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $65,370 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 3,400 cost estimators are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.