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Cost Engineer V Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Engineer V in the United States is $155,328 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $75.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $164,978
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $147,482 to $160,379
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $140,339
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cost Engineer V Salaries

A Cost Engineer V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Engineer V'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 III (4-7 years): $108,595
  • Cost Engineer IV (7+ years): $131,818
  • Cost Engineer V (7-10 years): $155,328
  • Project Cost Control Team Leader (10+ years): $116,152
  • Project Controls Manager (10+ years): $152,066
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Engineer III4-7 years$108,595
Cost Engineer IV7+ years$131,818
Cost Engineer V7-10 years$155,328
Project Cost Control Team Leader10+ years$116,152
Project Controls Manager10+ years$152,066
View as Graph

How Do Cost Engineer Vs 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $171,979.
  • California: $171,327.
  • Massachusetts: $169,043.

Top Paying Cities for Cost Engineer V

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: $195,915
  • San Francisco: $193,770
  • Oakland: $189,687

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Engineer V'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 V's salary.

  • MRP: Can increase your salary by up to 24%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • ERP Systems: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
MRP $192,607
24%
Process Improvement $175,521
13%
ERP Systems $175,521
13%
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Cost Engineer V Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Engineer V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $173,586. While startup companies pay approximate $146,836.

Cost Engineer V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $146,836
Growth Stage 51~500 $155,293
Established 501~5000 $167,619
Enterprise 5000+ $173,586

Cost Engineer V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Engineer V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Cost Engineer positions in Transportation or Software & Networking typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Engineer V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Engineer V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$163,094$78.05%
Business Services$163,094$78.05%
Construction$163,094$78.05%
Energy & Utilities$163,094$78.05%
Healthcare$163,094$78.05%

How Education impacts an Cost Engineer V's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cost Engineer V 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 V with a Bachelor's Degree is between $145,008 and $155,353.

Cost Engineer V Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cost Engineer V
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.1%
High School 6.1%
Associates 6.1%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 37.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Cost Engineer V'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 September 01, 2026
$147,482
Average $155,328/year
$160,379
$12,290
Average $12,944/month
$13,365
$2,836
Average $2,987/week
$3,084
$71
Average $75/hour
$77
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $160,379 $13,365 $3,084 $77
Average $155,328 $12,944 $2,987 $75
25th Percentile $147,482 $12,290 $2,836 $71

Cost Engineer V Salary Growth & Career Path

Cost Engineer V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Cost Engineer V, 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. $131,794 -15%
Manufacturing Project Management Manager $133,856 -14%
Engineering Program Manager VI $199,689 29%
Project Management Supervisor $101,917 -34%

Most common benefits for Cost Engineer V

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

Common company salaries for Cost Engineer V

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

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FAQ about Cost Engineer V

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

A Cost Engineer V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cost Engineer V is $195,915.

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

The highest pay for Cost Engineer V is $164,978.

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

The lowest pay for Cost Engineer V is $140,339.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cost Engineer V?

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Cost Engineer V roles, with salaries approximately 5% 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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