Cost Estimator salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Cost Estimators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $76,660 a year ($36.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,900 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $75,650. There are 1.0 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $81,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,160 | $24.12 |
| 25th percentile | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Median | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| 75th percentile | $98,590 | $47.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,900 | $59.09 |
| Average (mean) | $81,930 | $39.39 |
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 | $6,388.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,194.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,948.46 |
| Weekly | $1,474.23 |
| Hourly | $36.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $81,300 | 1,570 |
| Jackson, MS | $75,170 | 270 |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,350 | 60 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $73,320 | 190 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,900 | 540 |
| Morristown, TN | $71,400 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70,450 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,380 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $66,060 | 80 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $65,320 | 80 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $63,240 | 390 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,270 | 110 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $61,990 | 380 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $56,760 | 40 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $56,160 | 50 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $53,800 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,150 | $33.24 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $69,430 | $33.38 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| Management Analyst | $94,980 | $45.67 |
| Logistician | $71,230 | $34.24 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Fundraiser | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $76,630 | $36.84 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $74,470 | $35.80 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $76,960 | $37.00 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $76,660 a year, or $36.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $122,900 a year. The top 25% earn $98,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,160 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $63,300 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 630 cost estimators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.