Cost Estimator salary in Mankato, MN
Cost Estimators in the Mankato, MN metro area earn a median of $74,660 a year ($35.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,770 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 8% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $80,810. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Mankato, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| 25th percentile | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Median | $74,660 | $35.90 |
| 75th percentile | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,770 | $58.54 |
| Average (mean) | $77,520 | $37.27 |
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 | $6,221.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,110.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,871.54 |
| Weekly | $1,435.77 |
| Hourly | $35.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $76,980 | 200 |
| Rochester, MN | $76,910 | 120 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $73,760 | 320 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $73,310 | 90 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Mankato, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $66,600 | $32.02 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Project Management Specialist | $80,970 | $38.93 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,390 | $35.29 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,180 | $35.66 |
| Compliance Officer | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| Management Analyst | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Fundraiser | $66,850 | $32.14 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,130 | $27.46 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,660 | $36.85 |
| Loan Officer | $94,850 | $45.60 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $96,480 | $46.38 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Mankato, MN
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 Mankato, MN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Mankato, MN metro area is $74,660 a year, or $35.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Mankato, MN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Mankato, MN metro area earn at least $121,770 a year. The top 25% earn $93,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Mankato, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,260 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,030 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Mankato, MN?
About 80 cost estimators are employed in the Mankato, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.