Cost Estimator salary in New York
Cost Estimators in New York earn a median of $80,430 a year ($38.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,980 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,690 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,740. New York ranks 18th 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 $89,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $60,290 | $28.98 |
| Median | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| 75th percentile | $106,820 | $51.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,690 | $67.16 |
| Average (mean) | $89,450 | $43.01 |
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 | $6,702.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,351.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,093.46 |
| Weekly | $1,546.73 |
| Hourly | $38.67 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,380 | 11,610 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $82,110 | 380 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $81,290 | 620 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $80,020 | 60 |
| Rochester, NY | $78,890 | 770 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $78,590 | 70 |
| Syracuse, NY | $77,970 | 420 |
| Elmira, NY | $77,400 | 50 |
| Kingston, NY | $77,020 | 70 |
| Binghamton, NY | $75,730 | 150 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $75,700 | 120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $75,300 | 650 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $98,580 | $47.39 |
| Management Analyst | $112,250 | $53.96 |
| Project Management Specialist | $121,040 | $58.19 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $84,380 | $40.57 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| Compliance Officer | $90,080 | $43.31 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $87,130 | $41.89 |
| Fundraiser | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Logistician | $88,240 | $42.42 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $100,500 | $48.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for cost estimators in New York is $80,430 a year, or $38.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in New York?
The top 10% of cost estimators in New York earn at least $139,690 a year. The top 25% earn $106,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $60,290 or less.
How many cost estimators work in New York?
About 11,980 cost estimators are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.