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How much does a Cost Analyst II make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Analyst II in the United States is $82,701 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a Cost Analyst II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $96,206
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,318 to $89,770
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,507

Key Factors That Influence Cost Analyst II Salaries

A Cost Analyst II'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cost Analyst II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Analyst II'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:

  • Cost Analyst I (0-2 years): $66,340
  • Cost Analyst II (2-4 years): $82,701
  • Cost Analyst III (4-7 years): $94,774
  • Cost Analyst IV (7+ years): $120,633
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Analyst I0-2 years$66,340
Cost Analyst II2-4 years$82,701
Cost Analyst III4-7 years$94,774
Cost Analyst IV7+ years$120,633

Top Paying Cities for Cost Analyst II

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:

  • San Jose: $104,311
  • San Francisco: $103,169
  • Oakland: $100,994

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Analyst II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.82% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.82%
Microsoft Office 2.26%
Economics 1.27%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Cost Analyst II's salary.

  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Financial Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination $86,009
4%
Innovation $86,009
4%
Financial Management $86,009
4%

Cost Analyst II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Analyst II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $92,579. While startup companies pay approximate $78,320.

Cost Analyst II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $78,320
Growth Stage 51~500 $82,832
Established 501~5000 $89,401
Enterprise 5000+ $92,579

Cost Analyst II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Analyst II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Cost Analyst positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Analyst II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Analyst II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$115,781$56.040%
Biotechnology$111,646$54.035%
Energy & Utilities$107,511$52.030%
Insurance$103,376$50.025%
Internet$100,895$49.022%

How Education impacts an Cost Analyst II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cost Analyst II enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Cost Analyst II with a Bachelor's Degree is between $77,761 and $83,170.

Cost Analyst II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cost Analyst II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.0%
High School 4.0%
Associates 4.0%
Bachelors 66.7%
Masters 25.3%
Doctorate 0.0%

Cost Analyst II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost Analyst II'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$76,318
Average $82,701/year
$89,770
$6,360
Average $6,892/month
$7,481
$1,468
Average $1,590/week
$1,726
$37
Average $40/hour
$43
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $89,770 $7,481 $1,726 $43
Average $82,701 $6,892 $1,590 $40
25th Percentile $76,318 $6,360 $1,468 $37

Cost Analyst II Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cost Analyst II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Cost Analyst II Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Cost Analyst III $94,774 15%
Telecommunication Rates Manager $116,269 41%

Most common benefits for Cost Analyst II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Cost Analyst II

Here are companies hiring for Cost Analyst II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cost Analyst II

1. Where can a Cost Analyst II earn the most?

A Cost Analyst II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Cost Analyst II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cost Analyst II is $104,311.

2. What is the highest pay for Cost Analyst II?

The highest pay for Cost Analyst II is $96,206.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cost Analyst II?

The lowest pay for Cost Analyst II is $70,507.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cost Analyst II?

Provides cost analysis results to assist management in decision making or other financial initiatives. Performs variance analysis between actual and standard costs. Monitors, analyzes, and reports on inventory valuation, production, and various other costs. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a Manager. Has exposure to some of the more complex tasks within the job function. Some supervision in several aspects of the work required. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Cost Analyst II?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Cost Analyst II roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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