Cost Estimator salary in Montana
Cost Estimators in Montana earn a median of $77,320 a year ($37.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,740 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Montana ranks 28th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. 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 $78,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| 25th percentile | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Median | $77,320 | $37.17 |
| 75th percentile | $91,990 | $44.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,740 | $51.32 |
| Average (mean) | $78,490 | $37.74 |
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 | $6,443.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,221.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,973.85 |
| Weekly | $1,486.92 |
| Hourly | $37.17 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $85,820 | 250 |
| Helena, MT | $83,760 | 120 |
| Missoula, MT | $77,640 | 160 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $74,990 | $36.05 |
| Project Management Specialist | $87,890 | $42.25 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Management Analyst | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Compliance Officer | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| Fundraiser | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Logistician | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $70,360 | $33.83 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for cost estimators in Montana is $77,320 a year, or $37.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Montana?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Montana earn at least $106,740 a year. The top 25% earn $91,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,120 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,130 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Montana?
About 1,230 cost estimators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.