Cost Estimator salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Cost Estimators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $94,490 a year ($45.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,220 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 10% higher than the Washington statewide median of $86,070. There are 2.1 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| 25th percentile | $75,410 | $36.26 |
| Median | $94,490 | $45.43 |
| 75th percentile | $120,700 | $58.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,220 | $73.18 |
| Average (mean) | $99,570 | $47.87 |
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 | $7,874.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,937.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,634.23 |
| Weekly | $1,817.12 |
| Hourly | $45.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $94,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $87,150 | 330 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $83,800 | 2,260 |
| Bellingham, WA | $83,130 | 220 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $80,100 | 130 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $79,850 | 180 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $78,610 | 100 |
| Yakima, WA | $75,450 | 150 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $74,570 | 250 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $74,050 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $73,940 | 580 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $72,800 | 40 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $72,710 | 80 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Project Management Specialist | $130,380 | $62.68 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Management Analyst | $126,340 | $60.74 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $92,770 | $44.60 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $95,970 | $46.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $95,850 | $46.08 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $89,550 | $43.05 |
| Logistician | $108,920 | $52.37 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Fundraiser | $80,920 | $38.91 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $69,890 | $33.60 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $85,910 | $41.30 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $119,200 | $57.31 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $94,490 a year, or $45.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $152,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $152,220 a year. The top 25% earn $120,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,020 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $75,410 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 4,340 cost estimators are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.