Cost Estimator salary in Lexington-Fayette, KY
Cost Estimators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn a median of $71,630 a year ($34.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,810 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 4% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $74,880. There are 1.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $77,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| 25th percentile | $53,650 | $25.80 |
| Median | $71,630 | $34.44 |
| 75th percentile | $96,340 | $46.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,810 | $55.20 |
| Average (mean) | $77,030 | $37.03 |
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 | $5,969.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,984.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,755 |
| Weekly | $1,377.50 |
| Hourly | $34.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | 80 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,130 | 1,630 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $77,000 | 810 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $75,350 | 170 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $71,720 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Owensboro, KY | $70,460 | 50 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $69,300 | 50 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lexington-Fayette, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $84,520 | $40.63 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,280 | $31.38 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $59,870 | $28.78 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $66,800 | $32.12 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Management Analyst | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Compliance Officer | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| Logistician | $72,250 | $34.73 |
| Fundraiser | $75,230 | $36.17 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $64,670 | $31.09 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $77,530 | $37.27 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Lexington-Fayette, KY
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 Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area is $71,630 a year, or $34.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $114,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area earn at least $114,810 a year. The top 25% earn $96,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,620 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $53,650 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
About 330 cost estimators are employed in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.