Cost Estimator salary in Traverse City, MI
Cost Estimators in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $63,070 a year ($30.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,230 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 19% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $77,990. There are 2.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,320 | $25.15 |
| 25th percentile | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| Median | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| 75th percentile | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,230 | $47.71 |
| Average (mean) | $69,390 | $33.36 |
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 | $5,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,627.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,425.77 |
| Weekly | $1,212.88 |
| Hourly | $30.32 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $80,550 | 180 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $80,200 | 3,400 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $78,310 | 330 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $77,780 | 220 |
| Flint, MI | $76,250 | 200 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $76,030 | 1,100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $75,940 | 160 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $74,720 | 50 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $74,010 | 80 |
| Jackson, MI | $73,650 | 70 |
| Monroe, MI | $72,970 | 70 |
| Bay City, MI | $71,660 | 50 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Niles, MI | $70,720 | 70 |
| Midland, MI | $69,990 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Project Management Specialist | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| Fundraiser | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Compliance Officer | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| Management Analyst | $94,690 | $45.52 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,380 | $25.66 |
| Logistician | $75,180 | $36.15 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| Loan Officer | $63,820 | $30.68 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $63,070 a year, or $30.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $99,230 a year. The top 25% earn $78,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,320 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $53,800 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Traverse City, MI?
About 140 cost estimators are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.