Cost Estimator salary in Kentucky
Cost Estimators in Kentucky earn a median of $74,880 a year ($36.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,530 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Kentucky ranks 41st 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 $78,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| 25th percentile | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Median | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| 75th percentile | $98,450 | $47.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,530 | $57.47 |
| Average (mean) | $78,920 | $37.94 |
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 | $6,240 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,120 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,880 |
| Weekly | $1,440 |
| Hourly | $36.00 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,130 | 1,630 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $77,000 | 810 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $75,350 | 170 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $71,720 | 70 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $71,630 | 330 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Owensboro, KY | $70,460 | 50 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $69,300 | 50 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Project Management Specialist | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $74,690 | $35.91 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,240 | $31.36 |
| Management Analyst | $95,630 | $45.98 |
| Compliance Officer | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| Logistician | $68,420 | $32.89 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Fundraiser | $68,270 | $32.82 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $73,550 | $35.36 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for cost estimators in Kentucky is $74,880 a year, or $36.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Kentucky earn at least $119,530 a year. The top 25% earn $98,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,410 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $57,990 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Kentucky?
About 1,960 cost estimators are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.