How much does a cost estimator make in Chicago?
$83,640a year
Median yearly pay for cost estimators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $40.21 an hour or $6,970 a month.
- Hourly
- $40.21
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 31 of 379
- Jobs in the area
- 4,610
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,720Median: $83,640Highest 10%: $139,500
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,720 | $24.38 | |
| 25th | $64,320 | $30.92 | |
| Median | $83,640 | $40.21 | |
| 75th | $110,000 | $52.88 | |
| 90th | $139,500 | $67.05 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for cost estimators.
| Paducah, KY | $82,610 |
| Springfield, IL | $82,230 |
| Bloomington, IL | $80,590 |
| Decatur, IL | $79,230 |
| St. Louis, MO | $78,730 |
| Davenport, IA | $78,530 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $77,770 |
| Rockford, IL | $76,630 |
| Peoria, IL | $75,870 |
| Kankakee, IL | $75,230 |
| Champaign, IL | $63,630 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Personal Financial Advisor | $113,200 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $105,400 |
| Project Management Specialist | $105,300 |
| Management Analyst | $105,100 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $103,600 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $101,800 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $99,840 |
| Financial Examiner | $98,470 |
| Tax Examiner and Collector | $93,590 |
| Credit Analyst | $92,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $40.21 ($83,640 a year).
Do cost estimators make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $83,640 against $78,740 nationally, 6% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $82,750, so Chicago pays 1% more.
Where does Chicago rank for cost estimator pay?
31 of 379 metro areas with data.
How much does a cost estimator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,720 or less a year; the top 10% make $139,500 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.