Cost Estimators Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,750
- 25th Percentile — Junior$65,690
- 50th Percentile — Median$85,460
- 75th Percentile — Senior$118,060
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$150,790
Half of Cost Estimators in California earn more than $85,460. The top 10% make $150,790 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,750.
Cost Estimators in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 4th of 51 states for Cost Estimators pay, at $94,780 per year (11.0% above the U.S. average of $85,390).
- 26,020 people work as Cost Estimators in California — 11.6% of all U.S. Cost Estimators jobs.
- Location quotient 0.99: Cost Estimators jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,750; the top 10% earn over $150,790.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $104,770.
- Among business jobs in California, Personal Financial Advisors pays the most ($170,070).
Cost Estimators Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Cost Estimators here earn $94,780 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $94,780 is roughly equivalent to $66,746 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Massachusetts ($104,770), Alaska ($101,890), Colorado ($95,040) are the closest alternatives for Cost Estimators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Business Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Personal Financial Advisors $170,070/yr California +79.4% vs this role
- Financial and Investment Analysts $125,070/yr California +32.0% vs this role
- Project Management Specialists $124,430/yr California +31.3% vs this role
- Financial Examiners $118,710/yr California +25.2% vs this role
- Management Analysts $115,720/yr California +22.1% vs this role
- Credit Analysts $113,670/yr California +19.9% vs this role
- Market Research Analysts $108,120/yr California +14.1% vs this role
- Budget Analysts $105,890/yr California +11.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cost Estimators salary in California?
The average Cost Estimators salary in California is $94,780 per year (median $85,460), which is 11.0% above the national average of $85,390.
How does California rank for Cost Estimators pay?
California ranks 4th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($104,770/yr).
How much do entry-level Cost Estimators make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cost Estimators in California earn about $51,750 per year and the 25th percentile is $65,690.
How much do Cost Estimators make per hour in California?
About $45.57 per hour, based on the $94,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cost Estimators work in California?
BLS counts 26,020 Cost Estimators jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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