Cost Estimator salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Cost Estimators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $73,760 a year ($35.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,880 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% higher than the North Dakota statewide median of $73,280. There are 2.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| 25th percentile | $61,020 | $29.34 |
| Median | $73,760 | $35.46 |
| 75th percentile | $91,710 | $44.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,880 | $49.94 |
| Average (mean) | $78,980 | $37.97 |
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 | $6,146.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,073.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,836.92 |
| Weekly | $1,418.46 |
| Hourly | $35.46 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $76,980 | 200 |
| Rochester, MN | $76,910 | 120 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Minot, ND | $74,990 | 40 |
| Mankato, MN | $74,660 | 80 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $73,310 | 90 |
| Bismarck, ND | $71,020 | 130 |
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 Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $97,430 | $46.84 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Management Analyst | $90,220 | $43.38 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,250 | $32.81 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Compliance Officer | $67,020 | $32.22 |
| Fundraiser | $80,480 | $38.69 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Logistician | $69,530 | $33.43 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $80,030 | $38.48 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,420 | $36.74 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $73,760 a year, or $35.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $103,880 a year. The top 25% earn $91,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,520 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,020 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 320 cost estimators are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.