Illinois ranks 11th of 51 states and D.C. for cost estimators pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($102,680) by $22,800 — a 29% gap.
Cost Estimators are less concentrated in Illinois than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.72 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.39× below the national share.
Illinois employs roughly 2.8% of all cost estimators in the country (6,220 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $47,520 | $22.84 |
| 25th percentile | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,880 | $38.41 |
| 75th percentile | $99,470 | $47.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,050 | $61.08 |
| Mean (average) | $83,240 | $40.02 |
How Illinois Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois (current) | $79,880 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $102,680 | +29% |
| California | $84,610 | +6% |
| District of Columbia | $84,410 | +6% |
| New York | $82,940 | +4% |
| Washington | $82,900 | +4% |
| Colorado | $81,990 | +3% |
| Maryland | $81,490 | +2% |
| New Jersey | $80,880 | +1% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Illinois
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $79,700 | 3,780 |
| Technical Writers | $79,690 | 1,180 |
| School Psychologists | $80,220 | 3,440 |
| Compliance Officers | $79,350 | 10,190 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $79,320 | 5,580 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,300 | 54,690 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cost Estimators salary in Illinois?
The mean cost estimators salary in Illinois is $83,240 per year. The median (middle) salary is $79,880 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cost Estimators in Illinois?
Entry-level cost estimatorss (10th percentile) in Illinois typically earn around $47,520 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $59,320 per year.
What is the highest Cost Estimators salary in Illinois?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Illinois make approximately $127,050 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $99,470 per year.
How does the Illinois Cost Estimators salary compare to the national average?
The median cost estimators salary in Illinois is $79,880, which is +4% above national average of $77,070.