Cost Estimator salary in Tennessee
Cost Estimators in Tennessee earn a median of $75,650 a year ($36.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $78,740. Tennessee ranks 37th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.3 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,440 | $20.40 |
| 25th percentile | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Median | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| 75th percentile | $98,070 | $47.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,990 | $58.17 |
| Average (mean) | $79,960 | $38.44 |
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 | $6,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,152.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,909.62 |
| Weekly | $1,454.81 |
| Hourly | $36.37 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $81,300 | 1,570 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,660 | 630 |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,350 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,900 | 540 |
| Morristown, TN | $71,400 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70,450 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,380 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,270 | 110 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,890 | $41.30 |
| Management Analyst | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $69,790 | $33.55 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,690 | $37.83 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $65,430 | $31.46 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,960 | $30.75 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,010 | $37.50 |
| Logistician | $71,280 | $34.27 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Fundraiser | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $75,390 | $36.25 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for cost estimators in Tennessee is $75,650 a year, or $36.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $120,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Tennessee earn at least $120,990 a year. The top 25% earn $98,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,440 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $60,460 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Tennessee?
About 4,340 cost estimators are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.