Cost Estimator salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
Cost Estimators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median of $76,810 a year ($36.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,660 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $78,480. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| 25th percentile | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Median | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| 75th percentile | $98,220 | $47.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,660 | $60.89 |
| Average (mean) | $82,500 | $39.66 |
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 | $6,400.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,200.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,954.23 |
| Weekly | $1,477.12 |
| Hourly | $36.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cost Estimator salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $82,730 | 190 |
| Vineland, NJ | $82,540 | 80 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,380 | 11,610 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $80,170 | 460 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Reading, PA | $78,350 | 270 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $78,260 | 90 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $78,060 | 470 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $77,980 | 2,000 |
| Lancaster, PA | $77,450 | 700 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $75,720 | 340 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $74,730 | 70 |
| Lebanon, PA | $73,640 | 90 |
| Altoona, PA | $72,880 | 100 |
| State College, PA | $72,880 | 90 |
| Erie, PA | $69,370 | 160 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $68,820 | 180 |
| Williamsport, PA | $65,740 | 70 |
| Johnstown, PA | $63,860 | 60 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $67,740 | $32.57 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,490 | $37.25 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $75,970 | $36.52 |
| Management Analyst | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,970 | $31.72 |
| Logistician | $76,040 | $36.56 |
| Compliance Officer | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $83,020 | $39.92 |
| Fundraiser | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $115,940 | $55.74 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $75,150 | $36.13 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ
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 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $76,810 a year, or $36.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn at least $126,660 a year. The top 25% earn $98,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,210 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,670 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?
About 540 cost estimators are employed in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.