SOC 13-1051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cost Estimators — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cost Estimators in Durham, NC is $80,800 per year, close to the national median of $78,740 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cost Estimators in Durham, NC is $80,800 per year, close to the national median of $78,740 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $59,550 and $99,940. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $43,800 and the ninetieth at $131,400.
Employment stands at 360, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Raleigh records the highest median at $79,230. Of the 453 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 129th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,800 | −44.4% |
| 25th | $59,550 | −24.4% |
| Median (50th) | $80,800 | +2.6% |
| 75th | $99,940 | +26.9% |
| 90th | $131,400 | +66.9% |
| Mean | $84,610 | +7.5% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raleigh | $79,230 | 1,420 | |
| 2 | Charlotte | $77,990 | 2,360 | |
| 3 | Asheville | $75,000 | 330 | |
| 4 | Greensboro | $73,410 | 600 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $72,900 | 370 | |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $72,840 | 150 | |
| 7 | Burlington | $72,330 | 90 | |
| 8 | Greenville | $72,050 | 140 | |
| 9 | Winston-Salem | $71,220 | 540 | |
| 10 | Pinehurst | $70,810 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $80,800 goes as far as $85,684 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$80,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,684US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $80,800 a year, 2.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,800 to $131,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 360 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Raleigh, at $79,230.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cost Estimators in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $80,800, or $38.85 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $78,740, so pay in Durham, NC is 2.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Durham, NC earns more than $131,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,800 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Raleigh, at $79,230 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 360 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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