Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Alaska make a median of $97,020 a year, or about $46.65 an hour. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $164K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $93,011 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 25.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $97K get you in Alaska?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Alaska
Alaska sits well above the national pay line for cost estimators, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $79K. Rent runs $1,643/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K. Top earners bring in $164K or more, a $112K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Alaska
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $75K | -22% | 160 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $97K, rent takes 25.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,121/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 53% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is cost estimator a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $97K here vs. $79K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Alaska pays $97K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Alaska?
The median is $97,020 a year, that works out to about $47 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,020, and experienced cost estimators can clear $163,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,387/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 25.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a cost estimators salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cost estimators salary is worth about $93,011 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cost estimators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.