Cost Estimators salary
in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
- Middle 50%
- $64,320–$109,990
- vs U.S. median
- +6%
- Metro rank
- #22 of 186
Cost Estimators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro earn a median of $83,640 a year, based on BLS estimates for 4,610 jobs (May 2025). That is 6% above the U.S. median of $78,740 and 1% above the IL statewide median of $82,750. It ranks #22 of 186 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE4,610 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Cost Estimators pay in other IL metros
1 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $75,870 |
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Questions
What is the average Cost Estimators salary in Chicago?
The BLS median is $83,640 a year (May 2025). Half of the 4,610 jobs pay between $64,320 and $109,990. The 10th percentile is $50,720 and the 90th is $139,460.
Is Chicago a high-paying metro for Cost Estimators?
That is 6% above the U.S. median of $78,740 and 1% above the IL statewide median of $82,750. It ranks #22 of 186 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Cost Estimators make an hour in Chicago?
About $40.21 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $83,640 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $30.92–$52.88 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.