Cost Estimator salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Cost Estimators in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $78,530 a year ($37.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,520 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 3% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $76,020. There are 1.9 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,160 | $23.16 |
| 25th percentile | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Median | $78,530 | $37.75 |
| 75th percentile | $98,070 | $47.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,520 | $60.35 |
| Average (mean) | $83,010 | $39.91 |
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 | $6,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,272.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,020.38 |
| Weekly | $1,510.19 |
| Hourly | $37.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $78,940 | 2,290 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,730 | 3,170 |
| Manhattan, KS | $78,560 | 80 |
| Topeka, KS | $78,070 | 200 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $75,090 | 570 |
| Lawrence, KS | $70,630 | 70 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $69,430 | 200 |
| Columbia, MO | $68,610 | 160 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,360 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $64,160 | 560 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,200 | $30.86 |
| Project Management Specialist | $89,670 | $43.11 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $56,140 | $26.99 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $58,530 | $28.14 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Compliance Officer | $66,670 | $32.05 |
| Logistician | $74,780 | $35.95 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| Management Analyst | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| Loan Officer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $74,400 | $35.77 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $46,370 | $22.29 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in St. Joseph, MO-KS
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 St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median salary for cost estimators in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area is $78,530 a year, or $37.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn at least $125,520 a year. The top 25% earn $98,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,160 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $56,180 or less.
How many cost estimators work in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
About 100 cost estimators are employed in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.