Cost Estimator salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Cost Estimators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $82,730 a year ($39.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,490 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 3% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $80,570. There are 0.81 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $90,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| 25th percentile | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Median | $82,730 | $39.78 |
| 75th percentile | $113,870 | $54.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,490 | $69.95 |
| Average (mean) | $90,910 | $43.71 |
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 | $6,894.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,447.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,181.92 |
| Weekly | $1,590.96 |
| Hourly | $39.78 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vineland, NJ | $82,540 | 80 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,380 | 11,610 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $76,810 | 540 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $68,820 | 180 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $89,370 | $42.97 |
| Management Analyst | $102,020 | $49.05 |
| Compliance Officer | $87,970 | $42.29 |
| Project Management Specialist | $113,750 | $54.69 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $82,110 | $39.48 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $93,060 | $44.74 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| Logistician | $86,810 | $41.74 |
| Fundraiser | $83,830 | $40.30 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $77,010 | $37.02 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $82,730 a year, or $39.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $145,490 a year. The top 25% earn $113,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,280 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,230 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 190 cost estimators are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.