Cost Estimator salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Cost Estimators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $78,940 a year ($37.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,290 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,360 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $76,020. There are 2.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| 25th percentile | $61,430 | $29.54 |
| Median | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| 75th percentile | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,360 | $62.67 |
| Average (mean) | $84,740 | $40.74 |
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 | $6,578.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,289.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.15 |
| Weekly | $1,518.08 |
| Hourly | $37.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,940 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $78,730 | 3,170 |
| Manhattan, KS | $78,560 | 80 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $78,530 | 100 |
| Topeka, KS | $78,070 | 200 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $77,770 | 70 |
| Wichita, KS | $75,090 | 570 |
| Lawrence, KS | $70,630 | 70 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $69,430 | 200 |
| Columbia, MO | $68,610 | 160 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $65,360 | 200 |
| Springfield, MO | $64,160 | 560 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $101,050 | $48.58 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $72,580 | $34.90 |
| Management Analyst | $98,430 | $47.32 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,740 | $35.93 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,090 | $37.54 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,300 | $31.87 |
| Logistician | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Fundraiser | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $92,860 | $44.64 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $78,940 a year, or $37.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $130,360 a year. The top 25% earn $101,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,660 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $61,430 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 2,290 cost estimators are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.