Cost Estimator salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Cost Estimators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $77,000 a year ($37.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,380 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 3% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $74,880. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 25th percentile | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Median | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| 75th percentile | $99,730 | $47.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,380 | $59.32 |
| Average (mean) | $81,320 | $39.10 |
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 | $6,416.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,208.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,961.54 |
| Weekly | $1,480.77 |
| Hourly | $37.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $83,640 | 4,610 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $82,610 | 80 |
| Columbus, IN | $80,800 | 50 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $79,130 | 1,630 |
| Evansville, IN | $77,290 | 240 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $76,730 | 1,690 |
| Kokomo, IN | $76,490 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IN | $76,450 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $75,350 | 170 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $74,820 | 120 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $71,720 | 70 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $71,630 | 330 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $71,550 | 170 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $71,200 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $70,690 | 190 |
| Owensboro, KY | $70,460 | 50 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $69,300 | 50 |
| 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Project Management Specialist | $82,660 | $39.74 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| Management Analyst | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $67,270 | $32.34 |
| Compliance Officer | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Logistician | $63,880 | $30.71 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $50,020 | $24.05 |
| Fundraiser | $71,350 | $34.30 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $68,660 | $33.01 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $77,000 a year, or $37.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $123,380 a year. The top 25% earn $99,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,920 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $59,590 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 810 cost estimators are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.