Project Estimating Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does a Project Estimating Engineer make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Project Estimating Engineer in the United States is $73,595 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $86,736
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,473 to $80,473
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,900
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,473 10% $61,900 90% $86,736 75% $80,473 $73,595 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Project Estimating Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $80,473 $6,706 $1,548 $39
Average $73,595 $6,133 $1,415 $35
25th Percentile $67,473 $5,623 $1,298 $32
Check out Project Estimating Engineer Job Openings in the United States
Senior Project Engineer

King Industries, Inc. - NORWALK, CT

Controls Project Engineer

Lincoln Electric - SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI

Mechanical Project Engineer

Lincoln Electric - COLDWATER, OH

Project Engineer

Securitas - SAN ANTONIO, TX

Search More Project Estimating Engineer Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Project Estimating Engineer Salaries

A Project Estimating 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 Project Estimating Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Project Estimating 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): $72,628
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $73,291
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $74,808
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $75,112
  • Expert (over 8 years): $75,314
Levels Salary
Entry Level Project Estimating Engineer$72,628
Intermediate Level Project Estimating Engineer$73,291
Senior Level Project Estimating Engineer$74,808
Specialist Level Project Estimating Engineer$75,112
Expert Level Project Estimating Engineer$75,314
$72,628 0 yr
$73,291 < 2 yrs
$74,808 2-4 yrs
$75,112 5-8 yrs
$75,314 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

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

  • District of Columbia: $81,484.
  • California: $81,175.
  • Massachusetts: $80,093.

Top Paying Cities for Project Estimating 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:

  • San Jose: $92,825
  • San Francisco: $91,912
  • Oakland: $89,874

What Skills Can Increase a Project Estimating Engineer'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 a Project Estimating Engineer'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
$78,746
7%
Data Analysis
$77,274
5%
Value Engineering
$77,274
5%
Leadership
$76,538
4%
Commitment
$76,538
4%
Scheduling
$75,802
3%
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Project Estimating Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Project Estimating 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Project Estimating Engineer

Salaries for a Project Estimating Engineer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $69,641 in 2023 to around $68,666 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Project Estimating Engineer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Project Estimating Engineer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$69,641
2024
$68,876
2025
$68,666
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $69,641
2024 $68,876
2025 $68,666
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Project Estimating Engineer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Project Estimating Engineer

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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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