Cost Estimator salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Cost Estimators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $78,730 a year ($37.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,680 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $76,020. There are 2.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Median | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| 75th percentile | $103,290 | $49.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Average (mean) | $85,130 | $40.93 |
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 | $6,560.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,280.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,028.08 |
| Weekly | $1,514.04 |
| Hourly | $37.85 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,640 | 4,610 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | 80 |
| Springfield, IL | $82,230 | 100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $80,590 | 80 |
| Decatur, IL | $79,230 | 60 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $78,940 | 2,290 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,530 | 100 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $76,630 | 160 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,870 | 260 |
| Kankakee, IL | $75,230 | 60 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $69,430 | 200 |
| Columbia, MO | $68,610 | 160 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,360 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $64,160 | 560 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $63,630 | 60 |
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. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,670 | $34.46 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| Management Analyst | $101,100 | $48.61 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,280 | $35.23 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $75,840 | $36.46 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,270 | $37.15 |
| Logistician | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,810 | $27.79 |
| Fundraiser | $64,040 | $30.79 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $102,010 | $49.04 |
| Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage | $67,630 | $32.51 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for cost estimators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $78,730 a year, or $37.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $130,680 a year. The top 25% earn $103,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,990 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,990 or less.
How many cost estimators work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 3,170 cost estimators are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.