Cost Estimator salary in Michigan
Cost Estimators in Michigan earn a median of $77,990 a year ($37.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,520 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $78,740. Michigan ranks 25th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| 25th percentile | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Median | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| 75th percentile | $100,660 | $48.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,520 | $60.35 |
| Average (mean) | $82,600 | $39.71 |
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 | $6,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,249.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,999.62 |
| Weekly | $1,499.81 |
| Hourly | $37.50 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $80,550 | 180 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $80,200 | 3,400 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $78,310 | 330 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $77,780 | 220 |
| Flint, MI | $76,250 | 200 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $76,030 | 1,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $75,940 | 160 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $74,720 | 50 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $74,010 | 80 |
| Jackson, MI | $73,650 | 70 |
| Monroe, MI | $72,970 | 70 |
| Bay City, MI | $71,660 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Niles, MI | $70,720 | 70 |
| Midland, MI | $69,990 | 60 |
| Traverse City, MI | $63,070 | 140 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,520 | $33.42 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,970 | $48.55 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,900 | $36.49 |
| Management Analyst | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,350 | $30.94 |
| Logistician | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,780 | $25.37 |
| Fundraiser | $66,130 | $31.79 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $73,760 | $35.46 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for cost estimators in Michigan is $77,990 a year, or $37.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Michigan?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Michigan earn at least $125,520 a year. The top 25% earn $100,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,660 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,060 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Michigan?
About 6,960 cost estimators are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.