What are the main factors that influence a Cost Estimator I's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Cost Estimator I?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Cost Estimator I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

How does experience change A Cost Estimator 's salary?

A Cost Estimator 's salary grows with experience: a Cost Estimator I (1-3 years)earns $60,147, a Cost Estimator II (3-5 years)earns $69,926, a Cost Estimating Supervisor (5+ years)earns $89,246, a Cost Estimating Senior Supervisor (5+ years)earns $125,707, a Cost Estimating Manager (5+ years)earns $143,130,

What are the highest paying states for a Cost Estimator I?

Cost Estimator I salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Cost Estimator I roles are District of Columbia $65,760, California $65,510, Massachusetts $64,637. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Cost Estimator roles make?

Salaries for Cost Estimator level roles vary by specialization: Cost Engineer and Estimator III: $106,900; Project Cost Estimator III: $106,860; Cost Engineer and Estimator II: $94,900; Project Cost Estimator II: $94,900; Senior Cost Estimator: $88,429.

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Cost Estimator I Salary in Delaware

How much does a Cost Estimator I make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Estimator I in Delaware is $60,147 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $69,293
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,404 to $64,934
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,354

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Cost Estimator I Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$64,934	$5,411	$1,249	$31
Average	$60,147	$5,012	$1,157	$29
25th Percentile	$52,404	$4,367	$1,008	$25

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Cost Estimator I Salaries

A Cost Estimator I'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.

How Experience Level Affects Cost Estimator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Estimator I'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 Estimator I (1-3 years): $60,147
Cost Estimator II (3-5 years): $69,926
Cost Estimating Supervisor (5+ years): $89,246
Cost Estimating Senior Supervisor (5+ years): $125,707
Cost Estimating Manager (5+ years): $143,130

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Cost Estimator I	1-3 years	$60,147
Cost Estimator II	3-5 years	$69,926
Cost Estimating Supervisor	5+ years	$89,246
Cost Estimating Senior Supervisor	5+ years	$125,707
Cost Estimating Manager	5+ years	$143,130

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Cost Estimator I 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 Estimator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $65,760.
California: $65,510.
Massachusetts: $64,637.

District of Columbia $65,760 California $65,510 Massachusetts $64,637 Washington $64,400 New Jersey $64,376 Alaska $64,293 Connecticut $63,473 New York $63,141

Hawaii $62,078 Rhode Island $61,579 Maryland $61,240 Minnesota $60,777 Colorado $60,599 Illinois $60,539 Oregon $60,314 Delaware $60,147

New Hampshire $60,043 Virginia $59,809 Pennsylvania $59,126 Nevada $58,781 North Dakota $58,668 Michigan $58,490 Wisconsin $58,425 Vermont $58,294

Texas $57,932 Maine $57,908 Arizona $57,873 Ohio $57,831 Georgia $57,285 Indiana $57,011 Wyoming $56,958 Utah $56,875

Iowa $56,839 Kansas $56,554 Louisiana $56,471 North Carolina $56,441 Missouri $56,429 Florida $56,198 Montana $56,073 Nebraska $55,954

Kentucky $55,889 South Carolina $55,651 Tennessee $55,503 Idaho $55,443 New Mexico $55,010 Oklahoma $54,915 Alabama $54,564 South Dakota $53,976

Arkansas $53,656 West Virginia $53,483 Mississippi $52,967

Top Paying Cities for Cost Estimator Is

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:

Lincoln: $59,876
Little Creek: $60,315
Magnolia: $60,228

Lincoln, DE $59,876 Little Creek, DE $60,315 Magnolia, DE $60,228 Milford, DE $60,029 Marydel, DE $60,127 Millsboro, DE $59,625 Millville, DE $59,717 Milton, DE $59,821

Nassau, DE $59,864 Ocean View, DE $59,707 Rehoboth Beach, DE $59,822 Seaford, DE $59,856 Selbyville, DE $59,608 Smyrna, DE $60,356 Viola, DE $60,078 Woodside, DE $60,240

Bear, DE $60,101 Newark, DE $60,078 Claymont, DE $60,201 Delaware City, DE $60,138 Hockessin, DE $60,073 Kirkwood, DE $60,127 Middletown, DE $60,150 Montchanin, DE $60,087

New Castle, DE $60,096 Odessa, DE $60,180 Port Penn, DE $60,220 Rockland, DE $60,093 Saint Georges, DE $60,131 Townsend, DE $60,224 Winterthur, DE $60,100 Lewes, DE $59,844

Wilmington, DE $60,076 Dover, DE $60,315 Dover Afb, DE $59,997 Bethany Beach, DE $59,644 Bethel, DE $59,706 Bridgeville, DE $59,847 Camden Wyoming, DE $60,145 Cheswold, DE $60,295

Clayton, DE $60,297 Dagsboro, DE $59,603 Delmar, DE $59,507 Ellendale, DE $59,688 Felton, DE $60,024 Fenwick Island, DE $59,616 Frankford, DE $59,512 Frederica, DE $60,083

Georgetown, DE $59,580 Greenwood, DE $59,856 Harbeson, DE $59,644 Harrington, DE $59,948 Hartly, DE $60,134 Houston, DE $59,862 Kenton, DE $60,300 Laurel, DE $59,544

Yorklyn, DE $60,091

Cost Estimator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Estimator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $67,274. While startup companies pay approximate $56,894.

Cost Estimator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$56,894
Growth Stage	51~500	$60,174
Established	501~5000	$64,966
Enterprise	5000+	$67,274

Cost Estimator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Estimator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Cost Estimator positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Estimator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Estimator I

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology	$78,191	$38.0	30%
Financial Services	$75,184	$36.0	25%
Aerospace & Defense	$67,365	$32.0	12%

Cost Estimator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost Estimator I'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 July 01, 2026

$52,404

Average $60,147/year

$64,934

$4,367

Average $5,012/month

$5,411

$1,008

Average $1,157/week

$1,249

$25

Average $29/hour

$31

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$64,934	$5,411	$1,249	$31
Average	$60,147	$5,012	$1,157	$29
25th Percentile	$52,404	$4,367	$1,008	$25

Cost Estimator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Cost Estimator I

Cost Estimator II

Cost Estimating Manager

For a Cost Estimator I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Cost Estimator II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $69,926 - a projected growth of 16% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Cost Estimator I

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