SOC 13-1051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cost Estimators — Richmond
Richmond, VA · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cost Estimators in Richmond, VA is $77,540 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 Richmond, VA is $77,540 per year, close to the national median of $78,740 for the same occupation. Pay ranges from under $48,520 at the tenth percentile to more than $114,270 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $60,580 to $94,280.
Employment stands at 1,080, or 1.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Virginia Beach leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $80,850. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 185th of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,520 | −38.4% |
| 25th | $60,580 | −23.1% |
| Median (50th) | $77,540 | −1.5% |
| 75th | $94,280 | +19.7% |
| 90th | $114,270 | +45.1% |
| Mean | $78,880 | +0.2% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $80,850 | 1,440 | |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $78,040 | 120 | |
| 3 | Winchester | $75,720 | 100 | |
| 4 | Lynchburg | $74,570 | 170 | |
| 5 | Harrisonburg | $73,730 | 100 | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $71,320 | 190 | |
| 7 | Blacksburg | $67,040 | — | |
| 8 | Staunton | $66,420 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Richmond sit close to the national average, so $77,540 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$77,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,696US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,540 a year, 1.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,520 to $114,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,080 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $80,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cost Estimators in Richmond, VA?
The median annual wage is $77,540, or $37.28 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 Richmond, VA is 1.5% lower. 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 Richmond, VA earns more than $114,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,520 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 Virginia Beach, at $80,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,080 jobs in this occupation in Richmond, VA. 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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