Cost Estimator salary in Minnesota
Cost Estimators in Minnesota earn a median of $80,810 a year ($38.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,370 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Minnesota ranks 14th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.5 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| 25th percentile | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Median | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| 75th percentile | $99,510 | $47.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,370 | $60.27 |
| Average (mean) | $85,290 | $41.00 |
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 | $6,734.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,367.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,108.08 |
| Weekly | $1,554.04 |
| Hourly | $38.85 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $76,980 | 200 |
| Rochester, MN | $76,910 | 120 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Mankato, MN | $74,660 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $73,760 | 320 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $73,310 | 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 |
Related jobs in Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $87,510 | $42.07 |
| Management Analyst | $100,790 | $48.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,860 | $47.05 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $76,710 | $36.88 |
| Compliance Officer | $85,920 | $41.31 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Logistician | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Fundraiser | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $78,770 | $37.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for cost estimators in Minnesota is $80,810 a year, or $38.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Minnesota earn at least $125,370 a year. The top 25% earn $99,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,640 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $65,330 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Minnesota?
About 4,310 cost estimators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.