Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Cost Estimator Lead in Michigan is $86,800 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.
However, a Project Cost Estimator Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI Onboarding
Project Cost Estimator Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $93,510 | $7,793 | $1,798 | $45 |
| Average | $86,800 | $7,233 | $1,669 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,550 | $6,213 | $1,434 | $36 |
IPS-Integrated Project Services, LLC - Zeeland, MI
Workbox Staffing - Harrison, MI
OCG Companies - Detroit, MI
Kendrick Plastics - Grand Rapids, MI
A Project Cost Estimator Lead's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Project Cost Estimator Lead's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Engineer and Estimator IV | 7+ years | $139,547 |
| Cost Engineer and Estimator V | 7-10 years | $164,699 |
| Project Cost Estimator Lead | 10+ years | $86,791 |
| Technical Project Estimating Senior Supervisor | 10+ years | $122,260 |
| Technical Project Estimating Manager | 10+ years | $139,209 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Project Cost Estimator Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Project Cost Estimator Lead salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,168. While startup companies pay approximate $82,201.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $82,201 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $86,938 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $93,833 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $97,168 |
For Project Cost Estimator Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 63% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Project Cost Estimator Lead positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Project Cost Estimator Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $104,160 | $50.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $102,424 | $49.0 | 18% |
| Biotechnology | $99,820 | $48.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $97,216 | $47.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $95,480 | $46.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Project Cost Estimator Lead's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $93,510 | $7,793 | $1,798 | $45 |
| Average | $86,800 | $7,233 | $1,669 | $42 |
| 25th Percentile | $74,550 | $6,213 | $1,434 | $36 |
For a Project Cost Estimator Lead, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Technical Project Estimating Senior Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $122,300 - a projected growth of 41% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Project Cost Estimator Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
MC Molds , Inc.
Williamston, MI
MC Molds , Inc. | Williamston, MI
Job TitleReports To:Vice President of OperationsJob Duties and ResponsibilitiesAnalyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials,... more
9 Days Ago
Technique Inc
Jackson, MI
Technique Inc | Jackson, MI
Job Description. Job Description. Technique is looking for a Cost Estimator to join our Cost Estimating team at our Jackson, Michigan facility. Reporting t... more
9 Days Ago
Action Tool & Machine, INC.
Brighton, MI
Action Tool & Machine, INC. | Brighton, MI
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k). Competitive salary. Dental insurance. Health insurance. Opportunity for advancement. Paid time off. Vis... more
9 Days Ago
DIRECT Staffing Solutions
Novi, MI
DIRECT Staffing Solutions | Novi, MI
Job Description. Job Description. This will be a hybrid role after the initial training period, 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. Primary. Roles/Resp... more
9 Days Ago
Wade Trim
Detroit, MI
Wade Trim | Detroit, MI
Job Description. Job Description. What We Offer. . Our excellent salary and benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and lo... more
7 Days Ago
OCG Companies LLC.
Bloomfield Hills, MI
OCG Companies LLC. | Bloomfield Hills, MI
Cost Estimator / Bid SpecialistBuild What Matters. Win What Counts.OCG Companies is seeking a detail-driven and analytical Cost Estimator / Bid Specialist ... more
9 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
