Cost Estimator salary in Knoxville, TN
Cost Estimators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $72,900 a year ($35.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,860 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $75,650. There are 1.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| 25th percentile | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Median | $72,900 | $35.05 |
| 75th percentile | $95,900 | $46.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,860 | $55.70 |
| Average (mean) | $77,970 | $37.48 |
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 | $6,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,037.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,803.85 |
| Weekly | $1,401.92 |
| Hourly | $35.05 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $81,300 | 1,570 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,660 | 630 |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,350 | 60 |
| Morristown, TN | $71,400 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70,450 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,380 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,270 | 110 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Management Analyst | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,700 | $37.36 |
| Compliance Officer | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| Logistician | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $80,820 | $38.86 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,200 | $24.62 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Fundraiser | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $57,320 | $27.56 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $72,900 a year, or $35.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $115,860 a year. The top 25% earn $95,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,760 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,700 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Knoxville, TN?
About 540 cost estimators are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.