Cost Estimator salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Cost Estimators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $78,090 a year ($37.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,700 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $76,270. There are 1.7 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| 25th percentile | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Median | $78,090 | $37.54 |
| 75th percentile | $97,310 | $46.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,700 | $57.07 |
| Average (mean) | $82,620 | $39.72 |
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 | $6,507.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,253.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,003.46 |
| Weekly | $1,501.73 |
| Hourly | $37.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $79,030 | 130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $77,710 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $77,330 | 140 |
| Appleton, WI | $76,230 | 290 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $75,740 | 200 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $75,250 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,150 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,120 | 400 |
| Madison, WI | $73,420 | 720 |
| Wausau, WI | $71,850 | 150 |
| Kenosha, WI | $68,370 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $100,350 | $48.24 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,970 | $36.04 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $59,170 | $28.45 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $73,930 | $35.54 |
| Management Analyst | $102,900 | $49.47 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $76,800 | $36.93 |
| Compliance Officer | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| Logistician | $78,560 | $37.77 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $56,090 | $26.97 |
| Fundraiser | $66,080 | $31.77 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,860 | $37.44 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $78,090 a year, or $37.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $118,700 a year. The top 25% earn $97,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,950 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $63,420 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 1,400 cost estimators are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.