Cost Estimator salary in Missouri
Cost Estimators in Missouri earn a median of $76,020 a year ($36.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,270 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,740. Missouri ranks 36th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 2.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| 25th percentile | $56,880 | $27.35 |
| Median | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| 75th percentile | $98,600 | $47.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,270 | $61.67 |
| Average (mean) | $81,220 | $39.05 |
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 | $6,335 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,167.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,923.85 |
| Weekly | $1,461.92 |
| Hourly | $36.55 |
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 Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $78,940 | 2,290 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,730 | 3,170 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,530 | 100 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | 70 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $69,430 | 200 |
| Columbia, MO | $68,610 | 160 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,360 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $64,160 | 560 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $70,140 | $33.72 |
| Management Analyst | $97,270 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,840 | $36.46 |
| Logistician | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| Fundraiser | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $93,840 | $45.11 |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $67,950 | $32.67 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for cost estimators in Missouri is $76,020 a year, or $36.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Missouri?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Missouri earn at least $128,270 a year. The top 25% earn $98,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,840 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $56,880 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Missouri?
About 6,580 cost estimators are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.