Cost Estimator salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Cost Estimators in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $87,170 a year ($41.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,140 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 2% higher than the California statewide median of $85,460. There are 1.8 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,610 | $26.74 |
| 25th percentile | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Median | $87,170 | $41.91 |
| 75th percentile | $118,730 | $57.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,140 | $72.66 |
| Average (mean) | $95,670 | $46.00 |
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 | $7,264.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,632.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,352.69 |
| Weekly | $1,676.35 |
| Hourly | $41.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $101,630 | 3,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,580 | 1,680 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $95,650 | 490 |
| Napa, CA | $86,240 | 110 |
| Vallejo, CA | $84,830 | 290 |
| Fresno, CA | $84,140 | 750 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,190 | 1,930 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $82,800 | 260 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $82,390 | 410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,260 | 7,600 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,380 | 440 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,330 | 290 |
| Chico, CA | $81,140 | 140 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,210 | 150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $80,170 | 150 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $77,730 | 240 |
| Redding, CA | $77,360 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $77,070 | 390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $76,900 | 3,160 |
| Visalia, CA | $74,430 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $74,430 | 60 |
| Merced, CA | $72,880 | 90 |
| El Centro, CA | $68,430 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $96,580 | $46.44 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Project Management Specialist | $117,460 | $56.47 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Compliance Officer | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Logistician | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,670 | $36.38 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,550 | $40.65 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $66,060 | $31.76 |
| Fundraiser | $76,300 | $36.68 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $90,070 | $43.30 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $102,000 | $49.04 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | $98,930 | $47.56 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $87,170 a year, or $41.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $151,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $151,140 a year. The top 25% earn $118,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,610 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $66,490 or less.
How many cost estimators work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 2,740 cost estimators are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.