Cost Estimator salary in Lincoln, NE
Cost Estimators in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median of $75,740 a year ($36.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,360 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $73,100. There are 1.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Lincoln, NE
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| 25th percentile | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Median | $75,740 | $36.41 |
| 75th percentile | $93,280 | $44.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,360 | $52.10 |
| Average (mean) | $77,330 | $37.18 |
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 | $6,311.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,155.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,913.08 |
| Weekly | $1,456.54 |
| Hourly | $36.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,350 | 730 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Grand Island, NE | $64,200 | 60 |
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 Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lincoln, NE
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance Officer | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,280 | $30.43 |
| Project Management Specialist | $64,710 | $31.11 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Management Analyst | $68,140 | $32.76 |
| Fundraiser | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Logistician | $74,240 | $35.69 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $83,520 | $40.15 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $67,200 | $32.31 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lincoln, NE
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 Lincoln, NE?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $75,740 a year, or $36.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Lincoln, NE?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn at least $108,360 a year. The top 25% earn $93,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Lincoln, NE?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,460 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,260 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Lincoln, NE?
About 240 cost estimators are employed in the Lincoln, NE metro area, not counting the self-employed.