Cost Estimator salary in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
Cost Estimators in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn a median of $82,440 a year ($39.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,460 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Minnesota statewide median of $80,810. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| 25th percentile | $70,480 | $33.89 |
| Median | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| 75th percentile | $100,220 | $48.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Average (mean) | $87,110 | $41.88 |
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 | $6,870 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,435 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,170.77 |
| Weekly | $1,585.38 |
| Hourly | $39.64 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $79,030 | 130 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $78,090 | 1,400 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $77,710 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $77,330 | 140 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $76,980 | 200 |
| Rochester, MN | $76,910 | 120 |
| Appleton, WI | $76,230 | 290 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $75,740 | 200 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $75,250 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,150 | 90 |
| Mankato, MN | $74,660 | 80 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,120 | 400 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $73,760 | 320 |
| Madison, WI | $73,420 | 720 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $73,310 | 90 |
| 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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $97,910 | $47.07 |
| Management Analyst | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,710 | $39.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $78,430 | $37.71 |
| Compliance Officer | $91,150 | $43.82 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Logistician | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Fundraiser | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $101,270 | $48.69 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,270 | $38.11 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-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 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area is $82,440 a year, or $39.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area earn at least $125,460 a year. The top 25% earn $100,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,710 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $70,480 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI?
About 3,100 cost estimators are employed in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.