Cost Estimator salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Cost Estimators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $102,640 a year ($49.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,200 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $100,840. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $108,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,200 | $30.39 |
| 25th percentile | $77,980 | $37.49 |
| Median | $102,640 | $49.35 |
| 75th percentile | $129,530 | $62.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,200 | $75.58 |
| Average (mean) | $108,390 | $52.11 |
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 | $8,553.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,276.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,947.69 |
| Weekly | $1,973.85 |
| Hourly | $49.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $100,410 | 90 |
| Worcester, MA | $92,570 | 550 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $88,080 | 100 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $87,720 | 960 |
| Springfield, MA | $86,730 | 270 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $79,850 | 320 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $78,660 | 130 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Management Analyst | $135,640 | $65.21 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $90,270 | $43.40 |
| Project Management Specialist | $114,990 | $55.28 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $98,340 | $47.28 |
| Compliance Officer | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $93,010 | $44.72 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $83,800 | $40.29 |
| Fundraiser | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| Logistician | $101,540 | $48.82 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $78,010 | $37.51 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $99,150 | $47.67 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $118,520 | $56.98 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $102,640 a year, or $49.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $157,200 a year. The top 25% earn $129,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,200 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $77,980 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 3,110 cost estimators are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.