Cost Estimator salary in North Carolina
Cost Estimators in North Carolina earn a median of $74,730 a year ($35.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,240 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. North Carolina ranks 42nd of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 25th percentile | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Median | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| 75th percentile | $94,320 | $45.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,240 | $59.25 |
| Average (mean) | $78,060 | $37.53 |
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 | $6,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,113.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,874.23 |
| Weekly | $1,437.12 |
| Hourly | $35.93 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,850 | 1,440 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $80,800 | 360 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | 1,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $77,990 | 2,360 |
| Asheville, NC | $75,000 | 330 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $73,410 | 600 |
| Wilmington, NC | $72,900 | 370 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $72,840 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $72,330 | 90 |
| Greenville, NC | $72,050 | 140 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $71,220 | 540 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $70,810 | 60 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $70,510 | 110 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $70,360 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $67,530 | 90 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $62,950 | 200 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,820 | $48.47 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $73,070 | $35.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| Management Analyst | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,250 | $31.37 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| Logistician | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| Fundraiser | $66,100 | $31.78 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $86,270 | $41.48 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for cost estimators in North Carolina is $74,730 a year, or $35.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of cost estimators in North Carolina earn at least $123,240 a year. The top 25% earn $94,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,580 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $57,680 or less.
How many cost estimators work in North Carolina?
About 8,030 cost estimators are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.