Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Missouri make a median of $76,020 a year, or about $36.55 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $128K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $85,445 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 22% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $76K get you in Missouri?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Missouri
Cost estimators pay in Missouri tracks closely to the national median, $76K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,097/month, 22.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Missouri
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $128K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Missouri
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $79K | +4% | 2,290 |
| St. Louis | $79K | +4% | 3,170 |
| St. Joseph | $79K | +3% | 100 |
| Cape Girardeau | $78K | +2% | 70 |
| Jefferson City | $69K | -9% | 200 |
| Columbia | $69K | -10% | 160 |
| Joplin | $65K | -14% | 200 |
| Springfield | $64K | -16% | 560 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $76K, rent takes 22.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $45K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,690/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 Missouri?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $76K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Missouri pays $76K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Missouri?
The median is $76,020 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,840, and experienced cost estimators can clear $128,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,919/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 22.3% 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 Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (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 $85,445 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.