Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in South Dakota make a median of $74,950 a year, or about $36.04 an hour. The range runs from $57K at the entry level to $130K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $83,380 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 19.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in South Dakota?
About cost estimators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in South Dakota
Cost estimators pay in South Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $75K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,017/month, 20% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% 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, South Dakota
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $57K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $130K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in South Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $76K | +2% | 510 |
| Rapid City | $72K | -4% | 200 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Business & Finance
Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 20% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $57K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,427/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 30% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is cost estimator a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $75K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for cost estimators?
South Dakota pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in South Dakota?
The median is $74,950 a year, that works out to about $36 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,110, and experienced cost estimators can clear $129,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,093/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 20% 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 South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (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 $83,380 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.