Cost Estimator salary in Pennsylvania
Cost Estimators in Pennsylvania earn a median of $78,480 a year ($37.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,620 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $78,740. Pennsylvania ranks 24th 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 $83,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| 25th percentile | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Median | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| 75th percentile | $99,580 | $47.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,620 | $60.87 |
| Average (mean) | $83,890 | $40.33 |
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 | $6,540 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,270 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,018.46 |
| Weekly | $1,509.23 |
| Hourly | $37.73 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| York-Hanover, PA | $80,170 | 460 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Reading, PA | $78,350 | 270 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $78,260 | 90 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $78,060 | 470 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $77,980 | 2,000 |
| Lancaster, PA | $77,450 | 700 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $76,810 | 540 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $75,720 | 340 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $74,730 | 70 |
| Lebanon, PA | $73,640 | 90 |
| Altoona, PA | $72,880 | 100 |
| State College, PA | $72,880 | 90 |
| Erie, PA | $69,370 | 160 |
| Williamsport, PA | $65,740 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $63,860 | 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 |
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,150 | $48.15 |
| Management Analyst | $93,830 | $45.11 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,760 | $33.06 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Compliance Officer | $85,580 | $41.15 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $71,350 | $34.30 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,290 | $37.16 |
| Logistician | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| Fundraiser | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $70,640 | $33.96 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $58,170 | $27.96 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $91,320 | $43.90 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for cost estimators in Pennsylvania is $78,480 a year, or $37.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Pennsylvania earn at least $126,620 a year. The top 25% earn $99,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,570 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,610 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Pennsylvania?
About 9,420 cost estimators are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.