Cost Estimator salary in Omaha, NE-IA
Cost Estimators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn a median of $76,350 a year ($36.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,740 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the Nebraska statewide median of $73,100. There are 1.5 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Omaha, NE-IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| 25th percentile | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Median | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| 75th percentile | $91,550 | $44.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,740 | $52.28 |
| Average (mean) | $78,250 | $37.62 |
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 | $6,362.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,181.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,936.54 |
| Weekly | $1,468.27 |
| Hourly | $36.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cost Estimator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,500 | 550 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,070 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $76,920 | 50 |
| Lincoln, NE | $75,740 | 240 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 | 260 |
| Grand Island, NE | $64,200 | 60 |
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 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the Nebraska statewide figures.
Related jobs in Omaha, NE-IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,840 | $29.73 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Project Management Specialist | $82,460 | $39.64 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Management Analyst | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Compliance Officer | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Logistician | $64,860 | $31.18 |
| Fundraiser | $75,520 | $36.31 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $81,910 | $39.38 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Omaha, NE-IA
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 Omaha, NE-IA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area is $76,350 a year, or $36.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Omaha, NE-IA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area earn at least $108,740 a year. The top 25% earn $91,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Omaha, NE-IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,160 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,410 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Omaha, NE-IA?
About 730 cost estimators are employed in the Omaha, NE-IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.