Cost Estimator salary in Rochester, MN
Cost Estimators in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $76,910 a year ($36.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,760 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 5% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $80,810. There are 0.94 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $82,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,150 | $26.99 |
| 25th percentile | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Median | $76,910 | $36.98 |
| 75th percentile | $99,690 | $47.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,760 | $57.58 |
| Average (mean) | $82,590 | $39.71 |
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 | $6,409.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,204.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,958.08 |
| Weekly | $1,479.04 |
| Hourly | $36.98 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $76,980 | 200 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Mankato, MN | $74,660 | 80 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $73,760 | 320 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $73,310 | 90 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Training and Development Specialists | $76,030 | $36.55 |
| Management Analyst | $108,560 | $52.19 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,790 | $37.88 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,810 | $40.30 |
| Project Management Specialist | $106,270 | $51.09 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Fundraiser | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $58,730 | $28.24 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $108,170 | $52.00 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $103,540 | $49.78 |
| Logistician | $80,300 | $38.61 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $83,960 | $40.36 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Rochester, MN metro area is $76,910 a year, or $36.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $119,760 a year. The top 25% earn $99,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,150 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,360 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Rochester, MN?
About 120 cost estimators are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.