Cost Estimators Salary in California

Cost Estimatorss in California have a median annual salary of $85,460, which works out to about $41.09 per hour, with a typical 25th–75th percentile range of $65,690 to $118,060, based on the latest BLS OEWS data.

13-1051 · Cost Estimators

Cost Estimators pay in California at a glance

Median annual salary

$85,460

Median hourly wage

$41.09/hr

Average annual salary

$94,780

Average hourly wage

$45.57/hr

25th percentile

$65,690

75th percentile

$118,060

10th percentile

$51,750

90th percentile

$150,790

People employed

26,020

Salary distribution

Reported wage points from the lowest to the highest paid cost estimators roles in California.

10th percentile
$51,750
25th percentile
$65,690
Median percentile
$85,460
75th percentile
$118,060
90th percentile
$150,790

California vs U.S. salary

The median salary for cost estimators roles in California is about 8.5% above the U.S. median of $78,740 for the same occupation.

See the national cost estimators benchmark →

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How much does a cost estimators make in California?

Half of cost estimators roles in California report earning more than $85,460 a year and half report earning less — that is the median. The mean (average) of $94,780 is pulled up or down by the highest and lowest earners, which is why the median is usually the better benchmark.

Salary range

A quarter of reported salaries fall below $65,690 and a quarter are above $118,060, so most cost estimators pay sits between those two figures. These percentiles describe how pay is spread across all reported roles — they are not a direct measure of years of experience.

What can affect cost estimators pay?

  • Years of experience and level of responsibility
  • Employer type and size
  • Specialization within the occupation
  • Certifications and licensing
  • Industry
  • Hours worked, shift patterns and overtime
  • The local labor market where the job is based

Cost Estimators pay in other states

Related jobs in California

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Methodology · Data sources

Salary figures are benchmarks and can vary by employer, experience, specialization, hours worked and other factors.