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Cost Estimating Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Cost Estimating Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Estimating Manager in the United States is $141,358 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $167,730
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $127,908 to $155,162
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,662
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Cost Estimating Manager Salaries

A Cost Estimating Manager'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 Estimating Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Estimating Manager'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 Estimating Supervisor (10+ years): $88,131
  • Cost Estimating Senior Supervisor (10+ years): $124,147
  • Cost Estimating Manager (10+ years): $141,358
  • Cost Estimating Senior Manager (10+ years): $176,322
  • Cost Estimating Director (10+ years): $204,756
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Cost Estimating Supervisor10+ years$88,131
Cost Estimating Senior Supervisor10+ years$124,147
Cost Estimating Manager10+ years$141,358
Cost Estimating Senior Manager10+ years$176,322
Cost Estimating Director10+ years$204,756
View as Graph

How Do Cost Estimating Managers 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 Estimating Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $156,512.
  • California: $155,918.
  • Massachusetts: $153,840.

Top Paying Cities for Cost Estimating Manager

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: $178,295
  • San Francisco: $176,343
  • Oakland: $172,626

What Skills Can Increase a Cost Estimating Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 11.88% Job Postings): Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the project acceptance criteria within agreed parameters. Project management has final deliverables that are constrained to a finite timescale and budget.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 2.57% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
  • Plumbing (Mentioned in 0.97% Job Postings): Plumbing is any system that conveys fluids for a wide range of applications. Plumbing uses pipes, valves, plumbing fixtures, tanks, and other apparatuses to convey fluids. Heating and cooling (HVAC), waste removal, and potable water delivery are among the most common uses for plumbing, but it is not limited to these applications. The word derives from the Latin for lead, plumbum, as the first effective pipes used in the Roman era were lead pipes. In the developed world, plumbing infrastructure is critical to public health and sanitation. Boilermakers and pipefitters are not plumbers although they work with piping as part of their trade and their work can include some plumbing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 11.88%
Installation 2.57%
Plumbing 0.97%
See More Skills

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 Estimating Manager's salary.

  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Field Operations: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination $149,839
6%
Field Operations $149,839
6%
Interpersonal Communication $149,839
6%
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Cost Estimating Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Cost Estimating Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $158,242. While startup companies pay approximate $133,869.

Cost Estimating Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $133,869
Growth Stage 51~500 $141,582
Established 501~5000 $152,811
Enterprise 5000+ $158,242

Cost Estimating Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost Estimating Manager 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 Internet and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Cost Estimating Manager positions in MFG Nondurable or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Estimating Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Estimating Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$197,901$95.040%
Software & Networking$190,833$92.035%
Biotechnology$183,765$88.030%
Pharmaceuticals$183,765$88.030%
Financial Services$176,698$85.025%

How Education impacts an Cost Estimating Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Cost Estimating Manager 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 Estimating Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $143,123 and $155,013.

Cost Estimating Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Cost Estimating Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.3%
High School 33.3%
Associates 18.9%
Bachelors 34.8%
Masters 9.3%
Doctorate 0.3%
View as Graph

Cost Estimating Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Cost Estimating Manager'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
$127,908
Average $141,358/year
$155,162
$10,659
Average $11,780/month
$12,930
$2,460
Average $2,718/week
$2,984
$61
Average $68/hour
$75
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $155,162 $12,930 $2,984 $75
Average $141,358 $11,780 $2,718 $68
25th Percentile $127,908 $10,659 $2,460 $61

Cost Estimating Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Cost Estimating Manager

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Advancement

For a Cost Estimating Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Cost Estimating Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $176,322 - a projected growth of 25% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Cost Estimating Manager

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

Common company salaries for Cost Estimating Manager

Here are companies hiring for Cost Estimating Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Cost Estimating Manager

1. Where can a Cost Estimating Manager earn the most?

A Cost Estimating Manager'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 Estimating Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Cost Estimating Manager is $178,295.

2. What is the highest pay for Cost Estimating Manager?

The highest pay for Cost Estimating Manager is $167,730.

3. What is the lowest pay for Cost Estimating Manager?

The lowest pay for Cost Estimating Manager is $115,662.

4. What are the responsibilities of Cost Estimating Manager?

Manages the estimating function and develops standards, procedures, tools, and methodologies to produce cost estimates for technical projects based on work scope, specifications, and proposal or contract requirements. Establishes processes to perform analysis of project requirements, plans, and specifications to identify labor, material, equipment, and service requirements. Incorporates benchmark data, trends, and historical pricing to generate detailed cost estimates that consist of itemized lists of expenses, labor hours, material quantities, and potential cost variations. Implements a workflow and system for scheduling and processing estimate requests and communicating with stakeholders. Depending on the complexity and type of project, may use different estimating methods, mathematical models, or specialized estimating software tools to generate estimates. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Cost Estimating Manager?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Cost Estimating Manager 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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