Cost Estimator salary in South Dakota
Cost Estimators in South Dakota earn a median of $74,950 a year ($36.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,560 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. South Dakota ranks 40th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 2.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,110 | $27.46 |
| 25th percentile | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Median | $74,950 | $36.04 |
| 75th percentile | $92,710 | $44.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,560 | $62.29 |
| Average (mean) | $79,200 | $38.08 |
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 | $6,245.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,122.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,882.69 |
| Weekly | $1,441.35 |
| Hourly | $36.04 |
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 Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $76,130 | 510 |
| Rapid City, SD | $72,210 | 200 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $83,620 | $40.20 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,490 | $30.53 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,590 | $32.50 |
| Project Management Specialist | $82,250 | $39.54 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Compliance Officer | $72,630 | $34.92 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $85,340 | $41.03 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Logistician | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Fundraiser | $66,800 | $32.11 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for cost estimators in South Dakota is $74,950 a year, or $36.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of cost estimators in South Dakota earn at least $129,560 a year. The top 25% earn $92,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,110 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $60,740 or less.
How many cost estimators work in South Dakota?
About 1,030 cost estimators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.