Cost Estimators Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $79,710 +3.4% vs national
Median hourly $38.32
10th percentile $51,810
90th percentile $121,140
Employed locally 70
National median $77,070

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Cost Estimators
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Ames, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,810
    25th
    $58,830
    50th (median)
    $79,710
    75th
    $96,320
    90th
    $121,140

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Cost Estimators salary vs area income 112% Median Cost Estimators salary is 12% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cost Estimators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $106,590
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $104,190
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $103,030
    Massachusetts $102,680
    High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area $101,910
    Worcester, MA $98,550

    Nearby metros — Cost Estimators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $84,610
    District of Columbia $84,410
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $84,090
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $83,500
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $83,300
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $80,900

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Business Operations Specialists, All Other$64,930
    Accountants and Auditors$76,250
    Project Management Specialists$83,870
    Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$61,440
    Human Resources Specialists$68,990
    Compliance Officers$75,780

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cost Estimators make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Cost Estimators in Ames, IA is $38.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.80 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Cost Estimators salaries?

    The median Cost Estimators salary in Ames, IA is 3.4% above the national median of $77,070. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cost Estimators in Ames?

    Entry-level Cost Estimators (10th percentile) earn around $51,810 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,830.