Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in West Virginia make a median of $77,480 a year, or about $37.25 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $122K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $87,027 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 19.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across West Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in West Virginia?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Cost estimators pay in West Virginia tracks closely to the national median, $77K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 2% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,008/month, 20.2% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (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, West Virginia
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $122K or more, a $80K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in West Virginia
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $79K | +2% | 110 |
| Morgantown | $77K | -1% | N/A |
| Huntington-Ashland | $75K | -3% | 170 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | $75K | -3% | 30 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | $72K | -8% | 40 |
| Wheeling | $64K | -17% | 90 |
| Beckley | $53K | -31% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when West Virginia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 20.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $43K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,564/month. At HUD’s $1,008/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 West Virginia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $77K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for cost estimators?
West Virginia pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $87K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in West Virginia?
The median is $77,480 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,730, and experienced cost estimators can clear $122,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,985/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 20.2% 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 $87,027 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.