Cost Estimator salary in New Jersey
Cost Estimators in New Jersey earn a median of $80,570 a year ($38.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,080 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,740. New Jersey ranks 15th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| 25th percentile | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| Median | $80,570 | $38.74 |
| 75th percentile | $109,060 | $52.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,080 | $65.91 |
| Average (mean) | $89,600 | $43.08 |
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 | $6,714.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,357.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,098.85 |
| Weekly | $1,549.42 |
| Hourly | $38.74 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $82,730 | 190 |
| Vineland, NJ | $82,540 | 80 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,380 | 11,610 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $76,810 | 540 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $68,820 | 180 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| Project Management Specialist | $122,980 | $59.12 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Management Analyst | $105,820 | $50.87 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,690 | $38.80 |
| Compliance Officer | $100,000 | $48.08 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $95,690 | $46.01 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Logistician | $92,280 | $44.37 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $118,370 | $56.91 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| Fundraiser | $77,170 | $37.10 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for cost estimators in New Jersey is $80,570 a year, or $38.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of cost estimators in New Jersey earn at least $137,080 a year. The top 25% earn $109,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,390 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,530 or less.
How many cost estimators work in New Jersey?
About 5,240 cost estimators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.