Cost Estimator salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Cost Estimators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $77,980 a year ($37.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,680 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $78,480. There are 1.8 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| 25th percentile | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Median | $77,980 | $37.49 |
| 75th percentile | $98,230 | $47.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,680 | $61.39 |
| Average (mean) | $82,850 | $39.83 |
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 | $6,498.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,249.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,999.23 |
| Weekly | $1,499.62 |
| Hourly | $37.49 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Cost Estimator pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Management Analyst | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,190 | $30.38 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Compliance Officer | $70,560 | $33.93 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Logistician | $77,220 | $37.12 |
| Fundraiser | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,860 | $25.42 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $77,980 a year, or $37.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $127,680 a year. The top 25% earn $98,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,030 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,570 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 2,000 cost estimators are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.