Cost Estimator salary in Rapid City, SD
Cost Estimators in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $72,210 a year ($34.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,010 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $74,950. There are 2.7 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,420 | $26.64 |
| 25th percentile | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Median | $72,210 | $34.72 |
| 75th percentile | $82,830 | $39.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,010 | $46.64 |
| Average (mean) | $73,610 | $35.39 |
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 | $6,017.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,008.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,777.31 |
| Weekly | $1,388.65 |
| Hourly | $34.72 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| Project Management Specialist | $74,700 | $35.91 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,780 | $38.36 |
| Compliance Officer | $75,160 | $36.14 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $70,890 | $34.08 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| Logistician | $79,510 | $38.23 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,270 | $38.11 |
| Loan Officer | $78,470 | $37.73 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $72,210 a year, or $34.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $97,010 a year. The top 25% earn $82,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,420 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,980 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Rapid City, SD?
About 200 cost estimators are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.