Cost Estimator salary in Great Falls, MT
Cost Estimators in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn a median of $68,740 a year ($33.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,360 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 11% lower than the Montana statewide median of $77,320. There are 2.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Great Falls, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 25th percentile | $58,830 | $28.29 |
| Median | $68,740 | $33.05 |
| 75th percentile | $87,880 | $42.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Average (mean) | $74,230 | $35.69 |
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 | $5,728.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,864.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,643.85 |
| Weekly | $1,321.92 |
| Hourly | $33.05 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $85,820 | 250 |
| Helena, MT | $83,760 | 120 |
| Missoula, MT | $77,640 | 160 |
| Billings, MT | $75,600 | 280 |
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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Great Falls, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| Project Management Specialist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Compliance Officer | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Management Analyst | $95,690 | $46.01 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Logistician | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Fundraiser | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| Loan Officer | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $131,270 | $63.11 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Great Falls, MT
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 Great Falls, MT?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Great Falls, MT metro area is $68,740 a year, or $33.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Great Falls, MT?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn at least $103,360 a year. The top 25% earn $87,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Great Falls, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,570 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,830 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Great Falls, MT?
About 90 cost estimators are employed in the Great Falls, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.