Cost Estimator salary in Rhode Island
Cost Estimators in Rhode Island earn a median of $81,990 a year ($39.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 590 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,740 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $78,740. Rhode Island ranks 10th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,180 | $28.94 |
| 25th percentile | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Median | $81,990 | $39.42 |
| 75th percentile | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Average (mean) | $88,260 | $42.43 |
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 | $6,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,153.46 |
| Weekly | $1,576.73 |
| Hourly | $39.42 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $87,720 | 960 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $99,640 | $47.91 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,680 | $50.33 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $88,130 | $42.37 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $86,520 | $41.60 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,910 | $36.50 |
| Fundraiser | $75,410 | $36.25 |
| Compliance Officer | $87,620 | $42.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| Logistician | $76,180 | $36.62 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $88,030 | $42.32 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $86,240 | $41.46 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for cost estimators in Rhode Island is $81,990 a year, or $39.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Rhode Island earn at least $130,740 a year. The top 25% earn $98,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,180 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $69,470 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Rhode Island?
About 590 cost estimators are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.