Cost Estimator salary in Maryland
Cost Estimators in Maryland earn a median of $81,190 a year ($39.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,970 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Maryland ranks 12th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.7 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
| 25th percentile | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Median | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| 75th percentile | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,970 | $62.96 |
| Average (mean) | $87,770 | $42.20 |
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 | $6,765.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,382.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,122.69 |
| Weekly | $1,561.35 |
| Hourly | $39.03 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $81,210 | 130 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $80,130 | 2,430 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Salisbury, MD | $74,420 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $70,690 | 120 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,500 | $48.80 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,040 | $50.02 |
| Management Analyst | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,910 | $40.34 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Compliance Officer | $84,720 | $40.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $76,370 | $36.72 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $90,900 | $43.70 |
| Logistician | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Fundraiser | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $95,560 | $45.94 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for cost estimators in Maryland is $81,190 a year, or $39.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Maryland?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Maryland earn at least $130,970 a year. The top 25% earn $106,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,660 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $63,080 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Maryland?
About 4,580 cost estimators are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.