Cost Estimator salary in Salem, OR
Cost Estimators in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $76,190 a year ($36.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,000 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 5% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $80,460. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,860 | $23.01 |
| 25th percentile | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Median | $76,190 | $36.63 |
| 75th percentile | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,000 | $60.10 |
| Average (mean) | $80,710 | $38.80 |
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 | $6,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,930.38 |
| Weekly | $1,465.19 |
| Hourly | $36.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,800 | 2,260 |
| Bend, OR | $76,890 | 180 |
| Albany, OR | $76,200 | 70 |
| Medford, OR | $71,360 | 100 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $64,870 | 30 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $64,360 | 210 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $99,090 | $47.64 |
| Project Management Specialist | $102,730 | $49.39 |
| Compliance Officer | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,160 | $30.84 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $90,270 | $43.40 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $88,110 | $42.36 |
| Fundraiser | $60,080 | $28.88 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Logistician | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,580 | $25.76 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Salem, OR metro area is $76,190 a year, or $36.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $125,000 a year. The top 25% earn $98,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,860 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,750 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Salem, OR?
About 260 cost estimators are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.