Cost Estimator salary in Washington
Cost Estimators in Washington earn a median of $86,070 a year ($41.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,540 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $78,740. Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for cost estimators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. 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 $94,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| 25th percentile | $70,720 | $34.00 |
| Median | $86,070 | $41.38 |
| 75th percentile | $108,120 | $51.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,540 | $68.05 |
| Average (mean) | $94,250 | $45.31 |
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 | $7,172.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,586.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,310.38 |
| Weekly | $1,655.19 |
| Hourly | $41.38 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $94,490 | 4,340 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $87,150 | 330 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,800 | 2,260 |
| Bellingham, WA | $83,130 | 220 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $80,100 | 130 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $79,850 | 180 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $78,610 | 100 |
| Yakima, WA | $75,450 | 150 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $74,570 | 250 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $74,050 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $73,940 | 580 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $72,800 | 40 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $72,710 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $100,360 | $48.25 |
| Project Management Specialist | $124,160 | $59.69 |
| Management Analyst | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $95,120 | $45.73 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $85,130 | $40.93 |
| Compliance Officer | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $81,860 | $39.35 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Logistician | $107,250 | $51.56 |
| Fundraiser | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $65,530 | $31.50 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,100 | $50.05 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for cost estimators in Washington is $86,070 a year, or $41.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Washington?
The top 10% of cost estimators in Washington earn at least $141,540 a year. The top 25% earn $108,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,650 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $70,720 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Washington?
About 7,470 cost estimators are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.