How much does a cost estimator make in Ames?
$76,920a year
Median yearly pay for cost estimators in the Ames, IA metro area. That is $36.98 an hour or $6,410 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.98
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 144 of 379
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $53,440Median: $76,920Highest 10%: $124,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,440 | $25.69 | |
| 25th | $59,990 | $28.84 | |
| Median | $76,920 | $36.98 | |
| 75th | $94,990 | $45.67 | |
| 90th | $124,400 | $59.80 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cost estimators.
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 |
| Davenport, IA | $78,530 |
| Des Moines, IA | $78,500 |
| Waterloo, IA | $77,070 |
| Omaha, NE | $76,350 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 |
| Sioux City, IA | $72,050 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 |
Related jobs in Ames
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 |
| Fundraiser | $80,430 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 |
| Accountant and Auditor | $79,320 |
| Property Appraiser and Assessor | $78,480 |
| Business Operations Specialist | $76,510 |
| Logistician | $75,620 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make an hour in Ames?
The median hourly pay in the Ames, IA metro area is $36.98 ($76,920 a year).
Do cost estimators make more in Ames than the national average?
No: $76,920 against $78,740 nationally, 2% less.
How does Ames compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $76,040, so Ames pays 1% more.
Where does Ames rank for cost estimator pay?
144 of 379 metro areas with data.
How much does a cost estimator make starting out in Ames?
The lowest-paid 10% make $53,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $124,400 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.