Cost Estimator salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Cost Estimators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $89,330 a year ($42.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,310 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $78,740. Pay here is 8% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $82,730. There are 1.2 cost estimators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $95,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cost estimators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,890 | $25.91 |
| 25th percentile | $69,570 | $33.45 |
| Median | $89,330 | $42.95 |
| 75th percentile | $120,580 | $57.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,310 | $68.42 |
| Average (mean) | $95,620 | $45.97 |
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 | $7,444.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,722.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,435.77 |
| Weekly | $1,717.88 |
| Hourly | $42.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | $81,210 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $80,850 | 1,440 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $80,130 | 2,430 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,880 | 4,190 |
| Charleston, WV | $79,300 | 110 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $78,040 | 120 |
| Richmond, VA | $77,540 | 1,080 |
| Morgantown, WV | $76,690 | n/a |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $75,720 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $75,350 | 170 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $74,990 | 30 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $74,570 | 170 |
| Salisbury, MD | $74,420 | 80 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $73,730 | 100 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $71,640 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $71,320 | 190 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $70,690 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $69,080 | 190 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $67,040 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $66,420 | 60 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $64,240 | 90 |
| Beckley, WV | $53,470 | 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Management Analyst | $126,830 | $60.97 |
| Project Management Specialist | $127,030 | $61.07 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $100,830 | $48.48 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $87,160 | $41.91 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $104,880 | $50.43 |
| Compliance Officer | $100,200 | $48.17 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $82,400 | $39.62 |
| Logistician | $104,330 | $50.16 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $75,450 | $36.27 |
| Fundraiser | $80,610 | $38.75 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,660 | $44.07 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,210 | $50.58 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for cost estimators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $89,330 a year, or $42.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cost estimators make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of cost estimators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $142,310 a year. The top 25% earn $120,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for cost estimators in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,890 a year, and a quarter of cost estimators earn $69,570 or less.
How many cost estimators work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 3,780 cost estimators are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.