Cost Estimator salary in Indiana
Cost Estimators in Indiana earn a median of $73,430 a year ($35.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,640 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $78,740. Indiana ranks 44th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.5 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| 25th percentile | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Median | $73,430 | $35.30 |
| 75th percentile | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,640 | $51.27 |
| Average (mean) | $76,200 | $36.64 |
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 | $6,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,059.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,824.23 |
| Weekly | $1,412.12 |
| Hourly | $35.30 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,640 | 4,610 |
| Columbus, IN | $80,800 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,130 | 1,630 |
| Evansville, IN | $77,290 | 240 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $77,000 | 810 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,730 | 1,690 |
| Kokomo, IN | $76,490 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IN | $76,450 | 70 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $74,820 | 120 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $71,200 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $70,690 | 190 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $69,000 | 60 |
| Muncie, IN | $63,870 | 50 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,310 | 100 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,600 | $31.54 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Project Management Specialist | $95,020 | $45.68 |
| Management Analyst | $95,560 | $45.94 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,030 | $37.99 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Logistician | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Fundraiser | $66,250 | $31.85 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $68,300 | $32.84 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for cost estimators in Indiana is $73,430 a year, or $35.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Indiana earn at least $106,640 a year. The top 25% earn $91,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,630 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,590 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Indiana?
About 4,810 cost estimators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.