Collision Repair Estimator Salary in the United States

How much does a Collision Repair Estimator make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Collision Repair Estimator in the United States is $77,303 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,167
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,172 to $82,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $69,410

Key Factors That Influence Collision Repair Estimator Salaries

A Collision Repair Estimator'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 Collision Repair Estimator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Collision Repair Estimator'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): $75,868
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $76,155
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,729
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $78,707
  • Expert (over 8 years): $80,848
Levels Salary
Entry Level Collision Repair Estimator$75,868
Intermediate Level Collision Repair Estimator$76,155
Senior Level Collision Repair Estimator$76,729
Specialist Level Collision Repair Estimator$78,707
Expert Level Collision Repair Estimator$80,848

Top Paying Cities for Collision Repair Estimators

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: $97,502
  • San Francisco: $96,434
  • Oakland: $94,402

What Skills Can Increase a Collision Repair Estimator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 42.95% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Transaction Processing (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Transaction processing is information processing in computer science that is divided into individual, indivisible operations called transactions.
  • Subrogation (Mentioned in 0.21% Job Postings): Subrogation is the assumption by a third party of another party's legal right to collect a debt or damages. It is a legal doctrine whereby one person is entitled to enforce the subsisting or revived rights of another for one's own benefit.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 42.95%
Transaction Processing 1.26%
Subrogation 0.21%

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 Collision Repair Estimator's salary.

  • Transaction Processing: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Purchasing: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Effective Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Transaction Processing $91,990
19%
Purchasing $85,806
11%
Effective Communication $84,260
9%

Collision Repair Estimator Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Collision Repair Estimator roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Financial Services, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Collision Repair Estimator positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Collision Repair Estimator as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Collision Repair Estimator

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$85,033$41.010%
Insurance$85,033$41.010%

Collision Repair Estimator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Collision Repair Estimator'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 September 01, 2026
$73,172
Average $77,303/year
$82,990
$6,098
Average $6,442/month
$6,916
$1,407
Average $1,487/week
$1,596
$35
Average $37/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,990 $6,916 $1,596 $40
Average $77,303 $6,442 $1,487 $37
25th Percentile $73,172 $6,098 $1,407 $35

Most common benefits for Collision Repair Estimator

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

Common company salaries for Collision Repair Estimator

Here are companies hiring for Collision Repair Estimator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Collision Repair Estimator

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Collision Repair Estimator?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Collision Repair Estimator roles, with salaries approximately 10% 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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