Estimator I, Engineering Salary in the United States

How much does an Estimator I, Engineering make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Estimator I, Engineering in the United States is $75,543 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,164
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,313 to $82,673
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,642
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View as table View as graph 25% $69,313 10% $63,642 90% $89,164 75% $82,673 $75,543 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Estimator I, Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $82,673 $6,889 $1,590 $40
Average $75,543 $6,295 $1,453 $36
25th Percentile $69,313 $5,776 $1,333 $33
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Local CDL-A Truck Driver - Home Daily

C.R. England - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Estimator I, Engineering Salaries

An Estimator I, Engineering'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 Estimator I, Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Estimator I, Engineering'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): $75,019
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,233
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,356
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $143,685
  • Expert (over 8 years): $169,582
Levels Salary
Estimator... Level Estimator I, Engineering$75,019
Cost Esti... Level Estimator I, Engineering$96,233
Cost Esti... Level Estimator I, Engineering$108,356
Cost Esti... Level Estimator I, Engineering$143,685
Cost Esti... Level Estimator I, Engineering$169,582
$75,019 0 yr
$96,233 < 2 yrs
$108,356 2-4 yrs
$143,685 5-8 yrs
$169,582 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $83,641.
  • California: $83,324.
  • Massachusetts: $82,213.

Top Paying Cities for Estimator I, Engineerings

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: $95,282
  • San Francisco: $94,239
  • Oakland: $92,253

What Skills Can Increase an Estimator I, Engineering's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Project Management (Mentioned in 6.42% 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.
  • Value Engineering (Mentioned in 1.6% Job Postings): Value engineering (VE) is a systematic method to improve the "value" of goods or products and services by using an examination of function. Value, as defined, is the ratio of function to cost. Value can therefore be manipulated by either improving the function or reducing the cost. It is a primary tenet of value engineering that basic functions be preserved and not be reduced as a consequence of pursuing value improvements. The term "value management" is sometimes used as a synonym of "value engineering", and both promote the planning and delivery of projects with improved performance The reasoning behind value engineering is as follows: if marketers expect a product to become practically or stylistically obsolete within a specific length of time, they can design it to only last for that specific lifetime. The products could be built with higher-grade components, but with value engineering they are not because this would impose an unnecessary cost on the manufacturer, and to a limited extent also an increased cost on the purchaser. Value engineering will reduce these costs. A company will typically use the least expensive components that satisfy the product's lifetime projections.
  • AutoCAD (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): AutoCAD is a commercial computer-aided design and drafting software application. Developed and marketed by Autodesk, AutoCAD was first released in December 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers with internal graphics controllers.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Project Management 6.42%
Value Engineering 1.6%
AutoCAD 1.25%
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 an Estimator I, Engineering's salary.
  • Budgeting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Data Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Value Engineering: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Budgeting
$80,831
7%
Data Analysis
$79,320
5%
Value Engineering
$79,320
5%
Leadership
$78,565
4%
Commitment
$78,565
4%
Scheduling
$77,809
3%
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Estimator I, Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Estimator I, Engineering roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Estimator I, Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Estimator I, Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Estimator I, Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$90,652$44.020%
Pharmaceuticals$90,652$44.020%
Financial Services$86,874$42.015%
Insurance$86,874$42.015%
Software & Networking$86,874$42.015%

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

Understanding how an Estimator I, Engineering'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

Salary Trends for Estimator I, Engineering

Salaries for an Estimator I, Engineering can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $71,467 in 2023 to around $70,466 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Estimator I, Engineering salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Estimator I, Engineering Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$71,467
2024
$70,681
2025
$70,466
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $71,467
2024 $70,681
2025 $70,466
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Estimator I, Engineering

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Estimator I, Engineering

Here are companies hiring for Estimator I, Engineering and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Estimator I, Engineering Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Estimator I, Engineering job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    17 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    18 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    19 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    19 Days Ago

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FAQ about Estimator I, Engineering

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Estimator I, Engineering?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Estimator I, Engineering roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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.)

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