Cost Estimator salary in Iowa City, IA
Cost Estimators in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $75,070 a year ($36.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,940 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 1% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $76,040. There are 0.91 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $76,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Median | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| 75th percentile | $88,880 | $42.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,940 | $56.22 |
| Average (mean) | $76,740 | $36.89 |
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 | $6,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,127.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,887.31 |
| Weekly | $1,443.65 |
| Hourly | $36.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $78,530 | 190 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $78,500 | 550 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $77,070 | 120 |
| Ames, IA | $76,920 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,350 | 730 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $72,050 | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 | 260 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Project Management Specialist | $96,820 | $46.55 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Compliance Officer | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Management Analyst | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Fundraiser | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Logistician | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $74,330 | $35.74 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,100 | $36.11 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $80,810 | $38.85 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, IA
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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $75,070 a year, or $36.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $116,940 a year. The top 25% earn $88,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,840 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $55,530 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Iowa City, IA?
About 90 cost estimators are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.