Cost Estimator salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Cost Estimators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $80,850 a year ($38.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,420 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is about the same as the Virginia statewide median of $80,530. There are 1.9 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,340 | $25.17 |
| 25th percentile | $63,430 | $30.50 |
| Median | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| 75th percentile | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,420 | $58.86 |
| Average (mean) | $84,650 | $40.70 |
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 | $6,737.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,368.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,109.62 |
| Weekly | $1,554.81 |
| Hourly | $38.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cost Estimator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $80,800 | 360 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $79,230 | 1,420 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $78,040 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $77,990 | 2,360 |
| Richmond, VA | $77,540 | 1,080 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,720 | 100 |
| Asheville, NC | $75,000 | 330 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $74,570 | 170 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $73,730 | 100 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $73,410 | 600 |
| Wilmington, NC | $72,900 | 370 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $72,840 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $72,330 | 90 |
| Greenville, NC | $72,050 | 140 |
| Roanoke, VA | $71,320 | 190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $71,220 | 540 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $70,810 | 60 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $70,510 | 110 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $70,360 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $67,530 | 90 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $67,040 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $66,420 | 60 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $62,950 | 200 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,530 | $42.08 |
| Management Analyst | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Project Management Specialist | $104,920 | $50.44 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,240 | $36.66 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $69,560 | $33.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,470 | $35.80 |
| Logistician | $91,460 | $43.97 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $68,290 | $32.83 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,820 | $25.88 |
| Fundraiser | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,160 | $35.18 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $95,760 | $46.04 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $80,850 a year, or $38.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $122,420 a year. The top 25% earn $100,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,340 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $63,430 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 1,440 cost estimators are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.