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

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

How does experience change A Cost Engineer's salary?

A Cost Engineer's salary grows with experience: a Cost Engineer (0-2 years)earns $82,137, a Cost Estimation Analyst II (2-4 years)earns $105,335, a Cost Estimation Analyst III (4-7 years)earns $118,619, a Cost Estimation Analyst IV (7+ years)earns $157,270, a Cost Estimation Analyst V (7-10 years)earns $185,581,

What are the highest paying states for a Cost Engineer?

Cost Engineer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Cost Engineer roles are District of Columbia $82,711, California $82,397, Massachusetts $81,299. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Cost Engineer roles make?

Salaries for Cost Engineer level roles vary by specialization: Cost Engineer V: $155,328; Senior Cost Engineer: $140,475; Cost Engineer IV: $131,818; Cost Engineer III: $108,619; Cost Engineer and Estimator II: $94,900.

Cost Engineer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Cost Engineer make in District of Columbia?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Engineer in District of Columbia is $82,711 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

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

Top Earners (90th percentile): $97,626
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $75,888 to $90,518
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,677

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Cost Engineer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$90,518	$7,543	$1,741	$44
Average	$82,711	$6,893	$1,591	$40
25th Percentile	$75,888	$6,324	$1,459	$36

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Cost Engineer Salaries

A Cost Engineer'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 Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost Engineer'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:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $82,137
Early Career (1-2 years): $105,335
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $118,619
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,270
Expert (over 8 years): $185,581

Levels	Salary
Cost Engi... Level Cost Engineer	$82,137
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineer	$105,335
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineer	$118,619
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineer	$157,270
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineer	$185,581

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Cost Engineer 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 Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $82,711.
California: $82,397.
Massachusetts: $81,299.

District of Columbia $82,711 California $82,397 Massachusetts $81,299 Washington $81,000 New Jersey $80,970 Alaska $80,866 Connecticut $79,835 New York $79,416

Hawaii $78,079 Rhode Island $77,452 Maryland $77,026 Minnesota $76,443 Colorado $76,219 Illinois $76,144 Oregon $75,860 Delaware $75,651

New Hampshire $75,520 Virginia $75,226 Pennsylvania $74,366 Nevada $73,933 North Dakota $73,791 Michigan $73,567 Wisconsin $73,485 Vermont $73,321

Texas $72,865 Maine $72,835 Arizona $72,790 Ohio $72,738 Georgia $72,051 Indiana $71,707 Wyoming $71,640 Utah $71,535

Iowa $71,490 Kansas $71,132 Louisiana $71,027 North Carolina $70,990 Missouri $70,975 Florida $70,684 Montana $70,527 Nebraska $70,377

Kentucky $70,295 South Carolina $69,996 Tennessee $69,810 Idaho $69,735 New Mexico $69,190 Oklahoma $69,070 Alabama $68,629 South Dakota $67,890

Arkansas $67,486 West Virginia $67,270 Mississippi $66,620

Top Paying Cities for Cost Engineers

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:

Parcel Return Service: $82,262
Washington: $82,263
Naval Anacost Annex: $82,259

Parcel Return Service, DC $82,262 Washington, DC $82,263 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $82,259 Washington Navy Yard, DC $82,262

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

Understanding how a Cost Engineer'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 May 01, 2026

$75,888

Average $82,711/year

$90,518

$6,324

Average $6,893/month

$7,543

$1,459

Average $1,591/week

$1,741

$36

Average $40/hour

$44

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$90,518	$7,543	$1,741	$44
Average	$82,711	$6,893	$1,591	$40
25th Percentile	$75,888	$6,324	$1,459	$36

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