How much does a cost estimator make in Des Moines?
$78,500a year
Median yearly pay for cost estimators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $37.74 an hour or $6,542 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.74
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 106 of 379
- Jobs in the area
- 550
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,940Median: $78,500Highest 10%: $121,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,940 | $23.53 | |
| 25th | $59,490 | $28.60 | |
| Median | $78,500 | $37.74 | |
| 75th | $94,740 | $45.55 | |
| 90th | $121,400 | $58.37 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for cost estimators.
| Dubuque, IA | $82,940 |
| Davenport, IA | $78,530 |
| Waterloo, IA | $77,070 |
| Ames, IA | $76,920 |
| Omaha, NE | $76,350 |
| Iowa City, IA | $75,070 |
| Sioux City, IA | $72,050 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $65,000 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Financial Risk Specialist | $108,100 |
| Loan Officer | $101,200 |
| Project Management Specialist | $101,200 |
| Financial and Investment Analyst | $98,490 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,270 |
| Property Appraiser and Assessor | $92,370 |
| Budget Analyst | $91,920 |
| Management Analyst | $90,730 |
| Business Operations Specialist | $86,540 |
| Financial Examiner | $85,450 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $37.74 ($78,500 a year).
Do cost estimators make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $78,500 against $78,740 nationally, 0% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $76,040, so Des Moines pays 3% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for cost estimator pay?
106 of 379 metro areas with data.
How much does a cost estimator make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $48,940 or less a year; the top 10% make $121,400 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.