Cost Estimator salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Cost Estimators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $80,130 a year ($38.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,330 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $81,190. There are 1.8 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| 25th percentile | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Median | $80,130 | $38.53 |
| 75th percentile | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,330 | $60.74 |
| Average (mean) | $85,140 | $40.93 |
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 | $6,677.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,338.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,081.92 |
| Weekly | $1,540.96 |
| Hourly | $38.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $89,330 | 3,780 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $81,210 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Salisbury, MD | $74,420 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $70,690 | 120 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,060 | $47.14 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Management Analyst | $117,750 | $56.61 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,520 | $38.71 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Logistician | $102,700 | $49.38 |
| Fundraiser | $81,020 | $38.95 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $76,000 | $36.54 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $80,310 | $38.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $80,130 a year, or $38.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $126,330 a year. The top 25% earn $103,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,750 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,590 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 2,430 cost estimators are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.