Cost Estimator salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Cost Estimators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $77,070 a year ($37.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,490 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $76,040. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Median | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| 75th percentile | $93,590 | $45.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,490 | $53.60 |
| Average (mean) | $78,480 | $37.73 |
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 | $6,422.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,211.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,964.23 |
| Weekly | $1,482.12 |
| Hourly | $37.05 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,500 | 550 |
| Ames, IA | $76,920 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,350 | 730 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 | 90 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 | 260 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $51,320 | $24.68 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $69,960 | $33.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,330 | $35.25 |
| Project Management Specialist | $81,600 | $39.23 |
| Compliance Officer | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $59,340 | $28.53 |
| Management Analyst | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Logistician | $75,470 | $36.29 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $73,260 | $35.22 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Loan Officer | $72,990 | $35.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $77,070 a year, or $37.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $111,490 a year. The top 25% earn $93,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,630 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,570 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 120 cost estimators are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.