Cost Engineering Salary in Irvine, CA

How much does a Cost Engineering make in Irvine, CA?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Cost Engineering in Irvine, CA is $80,173 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $93,629
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,931 to $87,217
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,338
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View as table View as graph 25% $72,931 10% $66,338 90% $93,629 75% $87,217 $80,173 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Cost Engineering Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $87,217 $7,268 $1,677 $42
Average $80,173 $6,681 $1,542 $39
25th Percentile $72,931 $6,078 $1,403 $35
Check out Cost Engineering Job Openings in Irvine, CA
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Key Factors That Influence Cost Engineering Salaries

A Cost 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, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Cost Engineering Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Cost 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): $80,676
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,499
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,533
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $154,536
  • Expert (over 8 years): $182,401
Levels Salary
Cost Engi... Level Cost Engineering$80,676
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering$103,499
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering$116,533
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering$154,536
Cost Esti... Level Cost Engineering$182,401
$80,676 0 yr
$103,499 < 2 yrs
$116,533 2-4 yrs
$154,536 5-8 yrs
$182,401 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Cost 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: $92,179
  • San Francisco: $91,170
  • Oakland: $89,249

What Skills Can Increase a Cost 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 a Cost 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
$85,785
7%
Data Analysis
$84,182
5%
Value Engineering
$84,182
5%
Leadership
$83,380
4%
Commitment
$83,380
4%
Scheduling
$82,578
3%
Get Latest Data

Cost Engineering Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Cost 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, Cost Engineering positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Cost Engineering as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Cost Engineering

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$96,208$46.020%
Pharmaceuticals$96,208$46.020%
Financial Services$92,199$44.015%
Insurance$92,199$44.015%
Software & Networking$92,199$44.015%

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

Understanding how a Cost 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 September 01, 2026

Find Your Next Cost Engineering Job

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

United States
  • Puget Collision

    Irvine, CA

    Puget Collision | Irvine, CA

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    5 Days Ago

  • Glidewell

    Irvine, CA

    Glidewell | Irvine, CA

    Electroplating Technician. We're looking for an Electroplating Technician to run and maintain our plating processes, ensuring consistent, high-quality outp... more

    5 Days Ago

  • 85C Bakery Cafe

    Irvine, CA

    85C Bakery Cafe | Irvine, CA

    Bakery Associate - Cashier/Barista Irvine Spectrum. Irvine Spectrum CA - Irvine, CA 92618. Overview. Salary Range $20.00 - $20.50 Hourly Level Entry Positi... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Pro-Dex, Inc.

    Irvine, CA

    Pro-Dex, Inc. | Irvine, CA

    Quality Assurance Inspector. This position will begin as a temporary assignment with the potential for permanent employment based on performance, attendanc... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Volt

    Irvine, CA

    Volt | Irvine, CA

    Assembly Associate. Volt is immediately hiring an Assembly Associate for a local manufacturing company in Irvine, CA. As an Assembly Associate you will. Da... more

    5 Days Ago

  • AtWork

    Irvine, CA

    AtWork | Irvine, CA

    Stock Clerk Position. We are an equipment distributor in the city of Irvine looking to hire Stock Clerks for our store. Position Requirements. Must be able... more

    5 Days Ago

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