Cost Estimator salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Cost Estimators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $81,300 a year ($39.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,770 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $75,650. There are 1.4 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| 25th percentile | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Median | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| 75th percentile | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,770 | $61.43 |
| Average (mean) | $85,710 | $41.21 |
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 | $6,775 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,387.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,126.92 |
| Weekly | $1,563.46 |
| Hourly | $39.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,300 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $76,660 | 630 |
| Cleveland, TN | $74,350 | 60 |
| Knoxville, TN | $72,900 | 540 |
| Morristown, TN | $71,400 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $71,340 | 110 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $70,450 | 440 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,380 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Management Analyst | $102,640 | $49.35 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $77,240 | $37.13 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,130 | $32.75 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $66,130 | $31.80 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Logistician | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $70,680 | $33.98 |
| Fundraiser | $63,760 | $30.66 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $75,390 | $36.25 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $81,300 a year, or $39.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $127,770 a year. The top 25% earn $102,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,400 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $64,790 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 1,570 cost estimators are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.