Cost Estimator salary in South Carolina
Cost Estimators in South Carolina earn a median of $70,260 a year ($33.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,590 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $78,740. South Carolina ranks 48th 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 $77,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| 25th percentile | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Median | $70,260 | $33.78 |
| 75th percentile | $92,830 | $44.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,590 | $57.50 |
| Average (mean) | $77,050 | $37.05 |
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 | $5,855 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,927.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,702.31 |
| Weekly | $1,351.15 |
| Hourly | $33.78 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $77,990 | 2,360 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $73,130 | 540 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $70,260 | 130 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $69,490 | 200 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $69,210 | 550 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $68,890 | 180 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $68,550 | 340 |
| Columbia, SC | $65,850 | 490 |
| Sumter, SC | $63,450 | 50 |
| Florence, SC | $61,520 | 80 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $95,040 | $45.69 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Management Analyst | $100,660 | $48.40 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $69,440 | $33.38 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Logistician | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Fundraiser | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $63,450 | $30.51 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,050 | $37.53 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for cost estimators in South Carolina is $70,260 a year, or $33.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of cost estimators in South Carolina earn at least $119,590 a year. The top 25% earn $92,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,970 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $57,170 or less.
How many cost estimators work in South Carolina?
About 2,880 cost estimators are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.