Cost Estimator salary in Tucson, AZ
Cost Estimators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $73,590 a year ($35.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 630 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,640 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $77,010. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| 25th percentile | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| Median | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| 75th percentile | $95,580 | $45.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,640 | $58.96 |
| Average (mean) | $78,090 | $37.55 |
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 | $6,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,066.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,830.38 |
| Weekly | $1,415.19 |
| Hourly | $35.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $77,590 | 4,380 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $70,350 | 100 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $68,720 | 50 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $67,720 | 170 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $65,480 | 110 |
| Yuma, AZ | $65,330 | 120 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $91,500 | $43.99 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $63,950 | $30.75 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Compliance Officer | $70,550 | $33.92 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $84,360 | $40.56 |
| Management Analyst | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $72,320 | $34.77 |
| Logistician | $77,410 | $37.22 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $66,170 | $31.81 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Fundraiser | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $66,990 | $32.21 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $72,230 | $34.73 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $73,590 a year, or $35.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $122,640 a year. The top 25% earn $95,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,610 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $55,550 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Tucson, AZ?
About 630 cost estimators are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.