Cost Estimator salary in Wausau, WI
Cost Estimators in the Wausau, WI metro area earn a median of $71,850 a year ($34.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,000 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 6% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $76,270. There are 2.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Wausau, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| 25th percentile | $58,390 | $28.07 |
| Median | $71,850 | $34.54 |
| 75th percentile | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,000 | $52.41 |
| Average (mean) | $76,300 | $36.69 |
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 | $5,987.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,993.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,763.46 |
| Weekly | $1,381.73 |
| Hourly | $34.54 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $82,440 | 3,100 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $79,230 | 160 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $79,030 | 130 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $78,090 | 1,400 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $77,710 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $77,710 | 140 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $77,330 | 140 |
| Appleton, WI | $76,230 | 290 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $75,740 | 200 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $75,250 | 120 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $75,150 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $74,120 | 400 |
| Madison, WI | $73,420 | 720 |
| Kenosha, WI | $68,370 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wausau, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $88,940 | $42.76 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,490 | $32.93 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $68,830 | $33.09 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Management Analyst | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Logistician | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Compliance Officer | $73,320 | $35.25 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $80,070 | $38.50 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,680 | $37.35 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Wausau, WI
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 Wausau, WI?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Wausau, WI metro area is $71,850 a year, or $34.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Wausau, WI?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Wausau, WI metro area earn at least $109,000 a year. The top 25% earn $90,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Wausau, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,760 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $58,390 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Wausau, WI?
About 150 cost estimators are employed in the Wausau, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.