Cost Estimator salary in Missoula, MT
Cost Estimators in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $77,640 a year ($37.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,970 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is about the same as the Montana statewide median of $77,320. There are 2.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,420, close to the median.
Pay range for cost estimators in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| 25th percentile | $61,640 | $29.63 |
| Median | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| 75th percentile | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,970 | $49.98 |
| Average (mean) | $77,420 | $37.22 |
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 | $6,470 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,235 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,986.15 |
| Weekly | $1,493.08 |
| Hourly | $37.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $85,820 | 250 |
| Helena, MT | $83,760 | 120 |
| Billings, MT | $75,600 | 280 |
| Great Falls, MT | $68,740 | 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 Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $84,250 | $40.51 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,350 | $31.42 |
| Management Analyst | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Compliance Officer | $61,910 | $29.77 |
| Fundraiser | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $57,540 | $27.67 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,490 | $29.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,660 | $24.84 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $72,920 | $35.06 |
| Loan Officer | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $76,230 | $36.65 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, MT
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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Missoula, MT metro area is $77,640 a year, or $37.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $103,970 a year. The top 25% earn $92,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,590 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,640 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Missoula, MT?
About 160 cost estimators are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.