These Are The 10 States With The Highest Estimator Salaries For 2026

Top 10 States with the Highest Estimator Salaries in 2026

In today’s job market, salary remains a top priority for job seekers. For estimators, understanding the average salary by state is crucial in evaluating job opportunities effectively.

While individual salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, education, and specific location within a state, we provide a comprehensive overview of average salaries for estimators across the United States, broken down by seniority level. This information helps offer a clearer picture of what you might expect to earn.

We used the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to analyze the average pay for estimators in each state.

Moreover, we adjusted these salaries according to the cost of living in each state, recognizing that a salary goes further in North Carolina compared to California.

The state that offers the highest adjusted salary for estimators? That would be Texas.

Here’s a snapshot of the top ten states for estimator salaries:

Let’s dive deeper into how we arrived at these numbers and provide a full ranking of all states.

If you’re keen on exploring more about the job market, check out the following articles:

How We Determined Pay by State

To compile our data, we analyzed the most recent annual salary figures for estimators from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, specifically their ‘Occupational Employment Statistics.’

To ensure a fair comparison of salaries across states, we factored in the cost of living in each state.

We created an index by dividing the average wage for a state by the cost of living relative to the average. For example, if California has a cost of living index of 135.9 and an average pay of $74,080, our index value would be:

$74,080 * (100 / 135.9) = $54,510

We then ranked every state based on this criterion, with the highest salary index ranking indicating the highest average salary for estimators.

Here’s a look at the complete ranking for all states:

For further reading, consider these articles:

100 Highest Paying Jobs In Austin
100 Highest Paying Jobs In Dallas
100 Highest Paying Jobs In Fort Worth
100 Highest Paying Jobs In Houston
100 Highest Paying Jobs In San Antonio
100 Highest Paying Jobs In Texas
100 Largest Companies In Texas

Detailed List of Estimator Salaries by State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost of Living
1	Texas	$76,218	$69,130	90.7
2	Kansas	$75,617	$67,980	89.9
3	Illinois	$73,530	$69,560	94.6
4	Missouri	$72,765	$65,780	90.4
5	Wyoming	$72,723	$66,760	91.8
6	Indiana	$71,083	$63,620	89.5
7	Washington	$70,750	$74,430	105.2
8	Michigan	$70,449	$62,700	89.0
9	Utah	$69,537	$64,670	93.0
10	Virginia	$68,948	$69,500	100.8
11	Delaware	$68,402	$69,360	101.4
12	Tennessee	$67,964	$60,760	89.4
13	Alabama	$67,467	$61,530	91.2
14	Colorado	$67,235	$69,790	103.8
15	Alaska	$67,032	$87,880	131.1
16	Oklahoma	$66,771	$59,560	89.2
17	Georgia	$66,750	$61,010	91.4
18	Kentucky	$66,729	$60,390	90.5
19	Iowa	$66,340	$60,370	91.0
20	Louisiana	$66,276	$62,830	94.8
21	Arizona	$66,010	$64,690	98.0
22	Arkansas	$65,832	$57,340	87.1
23	West Virginia	$65,631	$61,300	93.4
24	North Carolina	$64,941	$60,980	93.9
25	Ohio	$64,904	$60,880	93.8
26	Mississippi	$64,644	$55,530	85.9
27	Pennsylvania	$64,497	$65,400	101.4
28	Nebraska	$63,395	$58,070	91.6
29	Minnesota	$61,855	$62,350	100.8
30	Wisconsin	$61,239	$59,280	96.8
31	Florida	$60,793	$59,760	98.3
32	Nevada	$60,590	$62,590	103.3
33	New Hampshire	$60,025	$70,230	117.0
34	Idaho	$59,956	$55,220	92.1
35	New Mexico	$59,398	$57,320	96.5
36	Connecticut	$59,350	$75,790	127.7
37	North Dakota	$59,265	$58,910	99.4
38	New Jersey	$59,228	$72,200	121.9
39	South Carolina	$58,235	$57,770	99.2
40	Maine	$56,299	$62,380	110.8
41	Oregon	$56,038	$64,780	115.6
42	Maryland	$55,936	$70,200	125.5
43	Montana	$55,773	$56,220	100.8
44	New York	$55,755	$73,040	131.0
45	Rhode Island	$55,683	$67,210	120.7
46	Massachusetts	$55,622	$74,200	133.4
47	Vermont	$55,557	$67,280	121.1
48	California	$54,510	$74,080	135.9
49	South Dakota	$49,045	$50,860	103.7
50	Hawaii	$40,553	$68,090	167.9

In conclusion, understanding the salary landscape for estimators is essential for making informed career decisions. By considering both salary data and cost of living adjustments, you can find opportunities that align with your financial goals and lifestyle preferences.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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