Cost Estimators pay in California
In California, the median pay for cost estimators is $41.09 an hour ($85,460 a year). About 26,020 people work in this job there.
That is 9% higher than the U.S. median ($78,740). California ranks 6th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cost estimators in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $24.88 | $51,750 |
| 25% of workers | $31.58 | $65,690 |
| Half of workers (median) | $41.09 | $85,460 |
| 75% of workers | $56.76 | $118,060 |
| 90% of workers | $72.50 | $150,790 |
Cost Estimators pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $101,630 | 3,300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $97,580 | 1,680 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $95,650 | 490 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $87,170 | 2,740 |
| Napa | $86,240 | 110 |
| Vallejo | $84,830 | 290 |
| Fresno | $84,140 | 750 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $83,190 | 1,930 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $82,800 | 260 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $82,390 | 410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $82,260 | 7,600 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $81,380 | 440 |
| Modesto | $81,330 | 290 |
| Chico | $81,140 | 140 |
| Salinas | $80,210 | 150 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $80,170 | 150 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $77,730 | 240 |
| Redding | $77,360 | 120 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $77,070 | 390 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $76,900 | 3,160 |
| Visalia | $74,430 | 160 |
| Yuba City | $74,430 | 60 |
| Merced | $72,880 | 90 |
| El Centro | $68,430 | 50 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cost estimators
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3.1% over ten years, declining · about 17,600 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 |
| Management Analysts | $101,460 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 |
| Project Management Specialists | $120,910 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $83,500 |
| Compliance Officers | $96,980 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.