Cost Estimator salary in Virginia
Cost Estimators in Virginia earn a median of $80,530 a year ($38.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,330 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,740. Virginia ranks 16th of 51 states for cost estimators pay. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| 25th percentile | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Median | $80,530 | $38.72 |
| 75th percentile | $100,830 | $48.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,330 | $62.18 |
| Average (mean) | $86,110 | $41.40 |
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 | $6,710.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,355.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,097.31 |
| Weekly | $1,548.65 |
| Hourly | $38.72 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,850 | 1,440 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $78,040 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $77,540 | 1,080 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,720 | 100 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $74,570 | 170 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $73,730 | 100 |
| Roanoke, VA | $71,320 | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $67,040 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $66,420 | 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $117,580 | $56.53 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $85,200 | $40.96 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,840 | $58.10 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $82,090 | $39.47 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,980 | $37.01 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $89,210 | $42.89 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Logistician | $98,920 | $47.56 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,240 | $35.69 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $60,930 | $29.29 |
| Fundraiser | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $98,730 | $47.47 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for cost estimators in Virginia is $80,530 a year, or $38.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Virginia?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Virginia earn at least $129,330 a year. The top 25% earn $100,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,820 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,600 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Virginia?
About 5,840 cost estimators are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.