Cost Estimator salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Cost Estimators in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $69,080 a year ($33.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,560 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 9% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $75,650. There are 1.6 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| 25th percentile | $48,790 | $23.46 |
| Median | $69,080 | $33.21 |
| 75th percentile | $92,440 | $44.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,560 | $50.27 |
| Average (mean) | $71,660 | $34.45 |
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 | $5,756.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,878.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,656.92 |
| Weekly | $1,328.46 |
| Hourly | $33.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $69,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $81,300 | 1,570 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,850 | 1,440 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $78,040 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $77,540 | 1,080 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,660 | 630 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,720 | 100 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $74,570 | 170 |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,350 | 60 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $73,730 | 100 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,900 | 540 |
| Morristown, TN | $71,400 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Roanoke, VA | $71,320 | 190 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70,450 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,380 | 100 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $67,040 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $66,420 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,270 | 110 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $87,290 | $41.97 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $65,610 | $31.54 |
| Management Analyst | $93,610 | $45.01 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $56,460 | $27.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Logistician | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $68,250 | $32.81 |
| Fundraiser | $56,500 | $27.16 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,830 | $32.61 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $75,940 | $36.51 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $69,080 a year, or $33.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $104,560 a year. The top 25% earn $92,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,910 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $48,790 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 190 cost estimators are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.