Cost Estimator salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Cost Estimators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $80,800 a year ($38.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,400 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 8% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $74,730. There are 1.0 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $84,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| 25th percentile | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Median | $80,800 | $38.85 |
| 75th percentile | $99,940 | $48.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,400 | $63.17 |
| Average (mean) | $84,610 | $40.68 |
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 | $6,733.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,366.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,107.69 |
| Weekly | $1,553.85 |
| Hourly | $38.85 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,850 | 1,440 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | 1,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $77,990 | 2,360 |
| Asheville, NC | $75,000 | 330 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $73,410 | 600 |
| Wilmington, NC | $72,900 | 370 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $72,840 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $72,330 | 90 |
| Greenville, NC | $72,050 | 140 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $71,220 | 540 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $70,810 | 60 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $70,510 | 110 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $70,360 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $67,530 | 90 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $62,950 | 200 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,460 | $45.89 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,870 | $50.42 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $93,110 | $44.76 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $81,100 | $38.99 |
| Management Analyst | $126,110 | $60.63 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,530 | $35.83 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Compliance Officer | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Logistician | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| Fundraiser | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,930 | $26.41 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,930 | $40.83 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $85,090 | $40.91 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $80,800 a year, or $38.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $131,400 a year. The top 25% earn $99,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,800 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,550 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 360 cost estimators are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.