Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Arkansas make a median of $61,470 a year, or about $29.55 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $110K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $70,139 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 25.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $61K get you in Arkansas?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Pay for cost estimators in Arkansas runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $79K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,021/month, 24.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Arkansas can be a reasonable trade-off for cost estimatorss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $110K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Arkansas
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $63K | +3% | 390 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $62K | +1% | 380 |
| Hot Springs | $57K | -8% | 40 |
| Jonesboro | $56K | -9% | 50 |
| Fort Smith | $54K | -12% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 24.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,309/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Arkansas?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $61K here vs. $79K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Arkansas pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $70K — below the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Arkansas?
The median is $61,470 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,480, and experienced cost estimators can clear $110,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,100/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 24.9% 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 Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cost estimators salary is worth about $70,139 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.