Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in North Dakota make a median of $73,280 a year, or about $35.23 an hour. The range runs from $53K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $82,439 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 21.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in North Dakota?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Cost estimators pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $73K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 7% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 21.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (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, North Dakota
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $53K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $51K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in North Dakota
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $75K | +2% | 40 |
| Fargo | $74K | +1% | 320 |
| Grand Forks | $73K | +0% | 90 |
| Bismarck | $71K | -3% | 130 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 21.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $53K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,164/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 33% 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 North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $73K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for cost estimators?
North Dakota pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $82K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in North Dakota?
The median is $73,280 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,730, and experienced cost estimators can clear $104,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,876/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 21.2% 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (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 $82,439 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.