Cost Estimator salary in Helena, MT
Cost Estimators in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $83,760 a year ($40.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,450 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 8% higher than the Montana statewide median of $77,320. There are 2.7 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,720, close to the median.
Pay range for cost estimators in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| 25th percentile | $64,050 | $30.80 |
| Median | $83,760 | $40.27 |
| 75th percentile | $93,490 | $44.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,450 | $52.14 |
| Average (mean) | $80,720 | $38.81 |
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 | $6,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,490 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,221.54 |
| Weekly | $1,610.77 |
| Hourly | $40.27 |
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 |
| Missoula, MT | $77,640 | 160 |
| Billings, MT | $75,600 | 280 |
| Great Falls, MT | $68,740 | 90 |
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 Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,740 | $30.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $102,970 | $49.51 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Management Analyst | $103,140 | $49.59 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Fundraiser | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Logistician | $83,570 | $40.18 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $62,680 | $30.13 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,700 | $36.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Helena, 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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Helena, MT metro area is $83,760 a year, or $40.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $108,450 a year. The top 25% earn $93,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,840 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $64,050 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Helena, MT?
About 120 cost estimators are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.