Cost Estimator salary in Richmond, VA
Cost Estimators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $77,540 a year ($37.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,270 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $80,530. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| 25th percentile | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Median | $77,540 | $37.28 |
| 75th percentile | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,270 | $54.94 |
| Average (mean) | $78,880 | $37.92 |
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 | $6,461.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,230.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,982.31 |
| Weekly | $1,491.15 |
| Hourly | $37.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,850 | 1,440 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $78,040 | 120 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,720 | 100 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $74,570 | 170 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $73,730 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $71,320 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $67,040 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $66,420 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Management Analyst | $95,660 | $45.99 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $81,660 | $39.26 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,060 | $37.05 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Logistician | $92,500 | $44.47 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,920 | $25.44 |
| Fundraiser | $68,920 | $33.13 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $99,390 | $47.79 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Richmond, VA metro area is $77,540 a year, or $37.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $114,270 a year. The top 25% earn $94,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,520 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $60,580 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Richmond, VA?
About 1,080 cost estimators are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.