Cost Estimator salary in Louisiana
Cost Estimators in Louisiana earn a median of $77,030 a year ($37.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,050 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Louisiana ranks 29th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| 25th percentile | $58,290 | $28.02 |
| Median | $77,030 | $37.03 |
| 75th percentile | $98,680 | $47.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,050 | $60.12 |
| Average (mean) | $80,280 | $38.60 |
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 | $6,419.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,209.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,962.69 |
| Weekly | $1,481.35 |
| Hourly | $37.03 |
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 Louisiana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $63,220 | $30.40 |
| Project Management Specialist | $84,850 | $40.79 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,300 | $29.47 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| Management Analyst | $95,540 | $45.94 |
| Compliance Officer | $70,290 | $33.80 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,340 | $31.90 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Logistician | $75,230 | $36.17 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $62,700 | $30.15 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| Fundraiser | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,110 | $37.55 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for cost estimators in Louisiana is $77,030 a year, or $37.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Louisiana earn at least $125,050 a year. The top 25% earn $98,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,840 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,290 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Louisiana?
About 2,680 cost estimators are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.