Cost estimators
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Cost estimators in the United States earn a median salary of $78,740 per year — about $38 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 221K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of -4%.
AI & Automation Risk
Cost estimation is a data-intensive, digital-first occupation centered on analyzing blueprints, technical documents, and historical databases to predict costs. AI and advanced software are already driving a projected decline in employment by automating routine calculations and simulations, though human oversight remains necessary for complex site-specific variables and high-stakes negotiations.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MABEST VALUE | $100,410 | Average (100.2) | $100,167 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | Below avg (86.1) | $95,964 |
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 | Below avg (87.3) | $94,975 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $102,640 | Above avg (108.3) | $94,804 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $84,710 | Below avg (90.8) | $93,314 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $88,080 | Below avg (95.1) | $92,612 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $92,600 | Average (100.4) | $92,190 |
| Pueblo, CO | $84,580 | Below avg (91.8) | $92,173 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $80,020 | Below avg (87.7) | $91,253 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,530 | Below avg (86.4) | $90,910 |
| Casper, WY | $84,990 | Below avg (93.8) | $90,580 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | Below avg (86.1) | $90,348 |
| Worcester, MA | $92,570 | Average (102.5) | $90,292 |
| Springfield, MA | $86,730 | Below avg (96.1) | $90,286 |
| Decatur, IL | $79,230 | Below avg (88.4) | $89,604 |