Cost Estimator salary in Illinois
Cost Estimators in Illinois earn a median of $82,750 a year ($39.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,990 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,740. Illinois ranks 7th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. 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 $88,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| 25th percentile | $61,710 | $29.67 |
| Median | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| 75th percentile | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,590 | $65.67 |
| Average (mean) | $88,880 | $42.73 |
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 | $6,895.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,447.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,182.69 |
| Weekly | $1,591.35 |
| Hourly | $39.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cost Estimator salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,640 | 4,610 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | 80 |
| Springfield, IL | $82,230 | 100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $80,590 | 80 |
| Decatur, IL | $79,230 | 60 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,730 | 3,170 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $76,630 | 160 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,870 | 260 |
| Kankakee, IL | $75,230 | 60 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $63,630 | 60 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Logistician | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Fundraiser | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,180 | $50.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for cost estimators in Illinois is $82,750 a year, or $39.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Illinois earn at least $136,590 a year. The top 25% earn $108,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,200 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,710 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Illinois?
About 5,990 cost estimators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.