How much does a cost estimator make in California?
$85,460a year
Median yearly pay for cost estimators in California. That is $41.09 an hour or $7,122 a month.
- Hourly
- $41.09
- Vs. national median
- +9%
- Rank among states
- 6 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 26,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $51,750Median: $85,460Highest 10%: $150,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,750 | $24.88 | |
| 25th | $65,690 | $31.58 | |
| Median | $85,460 | $41.09 | |
| 75th | $118,100 | $56.76 | |
| 90th | $150,800 | $72.50 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $101,600 |
| San Jose, CA | $97,580 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $95,650 |
| San Diego, CA | $87,170 |
| Napa, CA | $86,240 |
| Vallejo, CA | $84,830 |
| Fresno, CA | $84,140 |
| Sacramento, CA | $83,190 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $82,800 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $82,390 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,260 |
| Stockton, CA | $81,380 |
| Modesto, CA | $81,330 |
| Chico, CA | $81,140 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,210 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $80,170 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $77,730 |
| Redding, CA | $77,360 |
| Oxnard, CA | $77,070 |
| Riverside, CA | $76,900 |
| Visalia, CA | $74,430 |
| Yuba City, CA | $74,430 |
| Merced, CA | $72,880 |
| El Centro, CA | $68,430 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cost estimators.
| 3. Wyoming | $90,790 |
| 4. Colorado | $86,940 |
| 5. Washington | $86,070 |
| 6. California | $85,460 |
| 7. Illinois | $82,750 |
| 8. District of Columbia | $82,730 |
| 9. Nevada | $82,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $41.09 ($85,460 a year).
Do cost estimators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $85,460 against $78,740 nationally, 9% more.
Where does California rank for cost estimator pay?
California ranks 6 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays cost estimators the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $101,600 a year.
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.