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Cost Engineer IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Cost Engineer IV make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Engineer IV in the United States is $134,178 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $65.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $149,110
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $123,796 to $141,994
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,344
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cost Engineer IV Salaries

A Cost Engineer IV'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 Engineer IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Engineer IV'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 Engineer II (2-4 years): $86,379
  • Cost Engineer III (4-7 years): $108,589
  • Cost Engineer IV (7+ years): $134,178
  • Cost Engineer V (7-10 years): $157,489
  • Project Cost Control Team Leader (10+ years): $116,156
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Engineer II2-4 years$86,379
Cost Engineer III4-7 years$108,589
Cost Engineer IV7+ years$134,178
Cost Engineer V7-10 years$157,489
Project Cost Control Team Leader10+ years$116,156
View as Graph

How Do Cost Engineer IV Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Cost Engineer IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $148,562.
  • California: $147,998.
  • Massachusetts: $146,026.

Top Paying Cities for Cost Engineer IVs

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: $169,239
  • San Francisco: $167,386
  • Oakland: $163,858

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Engineer IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.58% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Construction Accounting (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): A form of project accounting applied to construction projects. Construction accounting is a vitally necessary form of accounting, especially when multiple contracts come into play.
  • KPI (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): KPI stands for key performance indicator, a quantifiable measure of performance over time for a specific objective.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.58%
Construction Accounting 2.97%
KPI 1.98%
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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 Engineer IV's salary.

  • Injection Molding: Can increase your salary by up to 22%.
  • Cost Estimation: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • CAD: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Injection Molding $163,697
22%
Cost Estimation $152,963
14%
CAD $151,621
13%
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Cost Engineer IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Engineer IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $149,796. While startup companies pay approximate $126,839.

Cost Engineer IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $126,839
Growth Stage 51~500 $134,116
Established 501~5000 $144,640
Enterprise 5000+ $149,796

Cost Engineer IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Engineer IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Cost Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Engineer IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Engineer IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$167,722$81.025%
Biotechnology$154,305$74.015%
Internet$150,279$72.012%
Energy & Utilities$147,596$71.010%
Financial Services$147,596$71.010%

How Education impacts a Cost Engineer IV's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cost Engineer IV 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 Engineer IV with a Bachelor's Degree is between $121,553 and $131,166.

Cost Engineer IV Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cost Engineer IV
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 11.6%
High School 11.6%
Associates 4.7%
Bachelors 48.8%
Masters 34.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Cost Engineer IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost Engineer IV'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 October 01, 2026
$123,796
Average $134,178/year
$141,994
$10,316
Average $11,182/month
$11,833
$2,381
Average $2,580/week
$2,731
$60
Average $65/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $141,994 $11,833 $2,731 $68
Average $134,178 $11,182 $2,580 $65
25th Percentile $123,796 $10,316 $2,381 $60

Cost Engineer IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Cost Engineer IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cost Engineer IV, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
EHR Project Manager, Sr. $131,793 -2%
Manufacturing Project Manager V $152,593 14%
Engineering Program Manager V $151,491 13%
Project Manager V $154,003 15%

Most common benefits for Cost Engineer IV

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

Common company salaries for Cost Engineer IV

Here are companies hiring for Cost Engineer IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cost Engineer IV

1. Where can a Cost Engineer IV earn the most?

A Cost Engineer IV'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 Engineer IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cost Engineer IV is $169,239.

2. What is the highest pay for Cost Engineer IV?

The highest pay for Cost Engineer IV is $149,110.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cost Engineer IV?

The lowest pay for Cost Engineer IV is $114,344.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cost Engineer IV?

Develops and implements cost control procedures, documents, and tools to support and enhance project budget management. Collects and coordinates procurement and other cost information used to develop cost forecasting, cost control strategies, and project risk analysis. Performs data analysis to identify project trends and budget deviations and highlight cost underruns and overruns. Has extensive technical knowledge of processes and materials specific to the type of project. Experienced with the cost-estimating methods best suited to the nature of the project. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Cost Engineer IV?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Cost Engineer IV roles, with salaries approximately 25% 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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