Cost Estimator salary in Iowa
Cost Estimators in Iowa earn a median of $76,040 a year ($36.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,740. Iowa ranks 35th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,740 | $23.44 |
| 25th percentile | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Median | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| 75th percentile | $93,380 | $44.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,410 | $56.93 |
| Average (mean) | $78,310 | $37.65 |
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 | $6,336.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,168.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,924.62 |
| Weekly | $1,462.31 |
| Hourly | $36.56 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,500 | 550 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,070 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $76,920 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,350 | 730 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 | 260 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Project Management Specialist | $96,540 | $46.41 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,110 | $31.79 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Management Analyst | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $72,640 | $34.92 |
| Compliance Officer | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Logistician | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Fundraiser | $63,930 | $30.74 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $79,140 | $38.05 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for cost estimators in Iowa is $76,040 a year, or $36.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Iowa earn at least $118,410 a year. The top 25% earn $93,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,740 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,450 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Iowa?
About 1,870 cost estimators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.