As of April 01, 2026, the average hourly pay of Chief Estimator in the United States is $59. While Salary.com is seeing that Chief Estimator salary in the US can go up to $68 or down to $43, but most earn between $51 and $64. Salary.com shows the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Chief Estimator in the United States.
| Percentile | Hourly Pay Rate | Location | Last Updated |
| 10th Percentile Chief Estimator Salary | $43 | US | April 01, 2026 |
| 25th Percentile Chief Estimator Salary | $51 | US | April 01, 2026 |
| 50th Percentile Chief Estimator Salary | $59 | US | April 01, 2026 |
| 75th Percentile Chief Estimator Salary | $64 | US | April 01, 2026 |
| 90th Percentile Chief Estimator Salary | $68 | US | April 01, 2026 |
A cost estimate is the approximation of the cost of a program, project, or operation. The cost estimate is the product of the cost estimating process. The cost estimate has a single total value and may have identifiable component values. A problem with a cost overrun can be avoided with a credible, reliable, and accurate cost estimate. A cost estimator is the professional who prepares cost estimates. There are different types of cost estimators, whose title may be preceded by a modifier, such as building estimator, or electrical estimator, or chief estimator. Other professionals such as quanti...
Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/18/2019). Read more from Wikipedia
See user submitted job responsibilities for Chief Estimator.
10 + years experience
Bachelor's Degree
3 + years experience
Bachelor's Degree
3 - 5 years experience
Bachelor's Degree
| Job Title | Experience | EDUCATION | Salary Compared to This Job |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Title Cost Accountant II | Experience 2 - 4 | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Cost Accountant III | Experience 4 - 7 | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Cost Accounting Supervisor | Experience 3 - 5 | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Cost Estimating Director | Experience | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
| Job Title Cost Estimating Manager | Experience 5 + | EducationBachelors | Salary Compared to This Job |
Core compensation
Includes base and short-term incentives
Skills associated with Chief Estimator: Design, Estimating, Planning
Recently searched related titles: Costing Clerk, Heavy Civil Estimator, Adobe Aem Developer
Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role
Jobs with a similar salary range to Chief Estimator : Structural Estimator, Microsoft Dynamics Nav, Aerospace Estimator
