Cost Estimator salary in Dubuque, IA
Cost Estimators in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn a median of $82,940 a year ($39.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,390 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 9% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $76,040. There are 1.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Dubuque, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| 25th percentile | $59,200 | $28.46 |
| Median | $82,940 | $39.88 |
| 75th percentile | $113,450 | $54.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,390 | $59.32 |
| Average (mean) | $84,990 | $40.86 |
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 | $6,911.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,455.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,190 |
| Weekly | $1,595 |
| Hourly | $39.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,500 | 550 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,070 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $76,920 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,350 | 730 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 | 260 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Dubuque, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,390 | $30.96 |
| Logistician | $93,480 | $44.94 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,660 | $29.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,690 | $50.33 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,050 | $31.76 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| Management Analyst | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $60,870 | $29.27 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $89,150 | $42.86 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,150 | $26.03 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $74,140 | $35.65 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Dubuque, IA
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 Dubuque, IA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Dubuque, IA metro area is $82,940 a year, or $39.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Dubuque, IA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Dubuque, IA metro area earn at least $123,390 a year. The top 25% earn $113,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Dubuque, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,690 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,200 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Dubuque, IA?
About 80 cost estimators are employed in the Dubuque, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.