Cost Estimators Salary in California
Cost Estimators in California earn a median annual wage of $85,460 —8.5% above the national median of $78,740. That ranks CA #6 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.99×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for cost estimators
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $100,840 | $48.48 | 4,520 | 0.86 |
| 2 | Alaska | $97,020 | $46.65 | 220 | 0.46 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $90,790 | $43.65 | 440 | 1.09 |
| 4 | Colorado | $86,940 | $41.80 | 6,100 | 1.47 |
| 5 | Washington | $86,070 | $41.38 | 7,470 | 1.46 |
| 6 | California | $85,460 | $41.09 | 26,020 | 0.99 |
| 7 | Illinois | $82,750 | $39.78 | 5,990 | 0.68 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $82,730 | $39.77 | 270 | 0.27 |
| 9 | Nevada | $82,200 | $39.52 | 2,240 | 1.00 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $81,990 | $39.42 | 590 | 0.82 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $97,050 | $83,680 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $83,050 |
| Project Management Specialists | $120,910 | $102,320 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $83,500 | $75,940 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $78,760 |
| Management Analysts | $101,460 | $101,860 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do cost estimators make in California?
The median annual wage for cost estimators in California is $85,460, or $41.09 per hour. That is 8.5% above the national median of $78,740.
What is the entry-level cost estimators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $51,750 per year ($24.88/hour). The 25th percentile is $65,690.
How many people work as cost estimators in California?
About 26,020 people work in this occupation in California, or 1.4 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for cost estimators?
California ranks #6 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.99x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays cost estimators the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median wage at $100,840 per year, followed by Alaska ($97,020) and Wyoming ($90,790).