Cost Estimator salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Cost Estimators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $81,170 a year ($39.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,180 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 5% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $77,030. There are 1.0 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $83,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| 25th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Median | $81,170 | $39.02 |
| 75th percentile | $100,100 | $48.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,180 | $59.22 |
| Average (mean) | $83,310 | $40.05 |
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 | $6,764.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,382.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,121.92 |
| Weekly | $1,560.96 |
| Hourly | $39.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $84,710 | 940 |
| Lafayette, LA | $75,110 | 210 |
| Alexandria, LA | $74,890 | 60 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $74,570 | 190 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $73,800 | 100 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $72,480 | 140 |
| Monroe, LA | $68,030 | 100 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $66,290 | 200 |
| Hammond, LA | $59,760 | 40 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,410 | $41.06 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Management Analyst | $95,100 | $45.72 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,590 | $31.53 |
| Compliance Officer | $77,460 | $37.24 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,960 | $34.60 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $62,350 | $29.97 |
| Logistician | $78,200 | $37.60 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $63,030 | $30.31 |
| Fundraiser | $75,110 | $36.11 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $83,790 | $40.29 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $81,170 a year, or $39.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $123,180 a year. The top 25% earn $100,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,210 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $62,070 or less.
How many cost estimators work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 470 cost estimators are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.