Cost Estimator salary in Lafayette, LA
Cost Estimators in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $75,110 a year ($36.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,460 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $77,030. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| 25th percentile | $57,210 | $27.51 |
| Median | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| 75th percentile | $94,230 | $45.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,460 | $57.43 |
| Average (mean) | $77,900 | $37.45 |
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 | $6,259.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,129.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,888.85 |
| Weekly | $1,444.42 |
| Hourly | $36.11 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $84,710 | 940 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $81,170 | 470 |
| Alexandria, LA | $74,890 | 60 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $74,570 | 190 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $73,800 | 100 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $72,480 | 140 |
| Monroe, LA | $68,030 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $66,290 | 200 |
| Hammond, LA | $59,760 | 40 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $56,070 | $26.96 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Management Analyst | $81,730 | $39.30 |
| Compliance Officer | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Logistician | $72,670 | $34.94 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $67,630 | $32.52 |
| Loan Officer | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $54,340 | $26.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $75,110 a year, or $36.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $119,460 a year. The top 25% earn $94,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,820 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $57,210 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Lafayette, LA?
About 210 cost estimators are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.