Cost Estimator salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Cost Estimators in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $53,800 a year ($25.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,960 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 12% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $61,470. There are 0.98 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $62,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 25th percentile | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Median | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| 75th percentile | $81,350 | $39.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,960 | $48.54 |
| Average (mean) | $62,510 | $30.05 |
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 | $4,483.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,241.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,069.23 |
| Weekly | $1,034.62 |
| Hourly | $25.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,660 | 630 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $73,030 | 730 |
| Tulsa, OK | $72,880 | 670 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $65,320 | 80 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $63,240 | 390 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $61,990 | 380 |
| Enid, OK | $57,810 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $56,760 | 40 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $56,160 | 50 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $54,220 | $26.07 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| Project Management Specialist | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $57,380 | $27.59 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $45,480 | $21.87 |
| Management Analyst | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Logistician | $66,010 | $31.74 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,760 | $37.38 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $62,990 | $30.29 |
| Loan Officer | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $53,800 a year, or $25.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $100,960 a year. The top 25% earn $81,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,130 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $42,220 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 90 cost estimators are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.