Cost Estimator salary in Lake Charles, LA
Cost Estimators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $74,570 a year ($35.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,530 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 3% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $77,030. There are 1.9 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| 25th percentile | $56,980 | $27.39 |
| Median | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| 75th percentile | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,530 | $55.54 |
| Average (mean) | $75,540 | $36.32 |
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 | $6,214.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,107.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,868.08 |
| Weekly | $1,434.04 |
| Hourly | $35.85 |
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 |
| Lafayette, LA | $75,110 | 210 |
| Alexandria, LA | $74,890 | 60 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Project Management Specialist | $92,770 | $44.60 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $80,550 | $38.72 |
| Logistician | $92,170 | $44.31 |
| Management Analyst | $97,810 | $47.03 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Loan Officer | $56,550 | $27.19 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $47,040 | $22.62 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $74,570 a year, or $35.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $115,530 a year. The top 25% earn $96,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,260 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $56,980 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 190 cost estimators are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.