Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Washington make a median of $86,070 a year, or about $41.38 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $142K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $84,374 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 31.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $86K get you in Washington?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Washington
Cost estimators pay in Washington tracks closely to the national median, $86K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 9% difference. Rent runs $1,830/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $86K. Top earners bring in $142K or more, a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $94K | +10% | 4,340 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $87K | +1% | 330 |
| Bellingham | $83K | -3% | 220 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $80K | -7% | 130 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $80K | -7% | 180 |
| Longview-Kelso | $79K | -9% | 100 |
| Yakima | $75K | -12% | 150 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $75K | -13% | 250 |
| Walla Walla | $74K | -14% | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $74K | -14% | 580 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $73K | -16% | 80 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $86K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,579/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 51% 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 Washington?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $86K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Washington compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Washington pays $86K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $84K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Washington?
The median is $86,070 a year, that works out to about $41 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,650, and experienced cost estimators can clear $141,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $86K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,745/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 31.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cost estimators salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cost estimators salary is worth about $84,374 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.