Cost Estimator salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Cost Estimators in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $74,820 a year ($35.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $73,430. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| 25th percentile | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Median | $74,820 | $35.97 |
| 75th percentile | $90,780 | $43.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,760 | $47.96 |
| Average (mean) | $75,490 | $36.29 |
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 | $6,235 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,117.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,877.69 |
| Weekly | $1,438.85 |
| Hourly | $35.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,640 | 4,610 |
| Columbus, IN | $80,800 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,130 | 1,630 |
| Evansville, IN | $77,290 | 240 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $77,000 | 810 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,730 | 1,690 |
| Kokomo, IN | $76,490 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IN | $76,450 | 70 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $71,200 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $70,690 | 190 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $69,000 | 60 |
| Muncie, IN | $63,870 | 50 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $61,310 | 100 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Management Analyst | $95,600 | $45.96 |
| Project Management Specialist | $83,330 | $40.06 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Compliance Officer | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Logistician | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $75,220 | $36.16 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $79,050 | $38.00 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,290 | $37.64 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,740 | $37.38 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $74,820 a year, or $35.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $99,760 a year. The top 25% earn $90,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,670 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $60,460 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 120 cost estimators are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.