Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Idaho make a median of $79,700 a year, or about $38.32 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $84,896 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 21.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Idaho. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Idaho?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Idaho
Cost estimators pay in Idaho tracks closely to the national median, $80K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 1% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,136/month, 22.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $138K or more, a $89K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Idaho
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene | $83K | +4% | 120 |
| Boise City | $80K | +0% | 780 |
| Idaho Falls | $75K | -6% | 160 |
| Lewiston | $73K | -9% | 40 |
| Twin Falls | $70K | -12% | 60 |
| Pocatello | $64K | -19% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 22.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,892/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Idaho?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $80K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Idaho pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Idaho?
The median is $79,700 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,200, and experienced cost estimators can clear $137,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,075/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 22.4% 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 Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (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 $84,896 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.