Cost Estimator salary in District of Columbia
Cost Estimators in District of Columbia earn a median of $82,730 a year ($39.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,520 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,740. District of Columbia ranks 8th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 0.39 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.27). The average (mean) salary is $92,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,720 | $32.08 |
| 25th percentile | $82,220 | $39.53 |
| Median | $82,730 | $39.77 |
| 75th percentile | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,520 | $61.31 |
| Average (mean) | $92,030 | $44.25 |
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 | $6,894.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,447.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,181.92 |
| Weekly | $1,590.96 |
| Hourly | $39.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cost Estimator salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $108,160 | $52.00 |
| Management Analyst | $126,140 | $60.65 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $110,970 | $53.35 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $98,090 | $47.16 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,900 | $50.43 |
| Compliance Officer | $111,030 | $53.38 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Fundraiser | $80,840 | $38.87 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $80,980 | $38.93 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $124,090 | $59.66 |
| Logistician | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $86,710 | $41.69 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $115,600 | $55.58 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for cost estimators in District of Columbia is $82,730 a year, or $39.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of cost estimators in District of Columbia earn at least $127,520 a year. The top 25% earn $101,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,720 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $82,220 or less.
How many cost estimators work in District of Columbia?
About 270 cost estimators are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.