Cost Estimator salary in Chicago, IL
Based on 69 certified H-1B filings in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Westmont, Elk Grove Village, Aurora, Bridgeview, Franklin Park.
Also listed as: Cost Manager
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $68,515 |
| 25th | $70,000 |
| 50th (median) | $91,520 |
| 75th | $110,250 |
| 90th | $131,000 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $56,160 | $47,060 | $71,337 | 14 |
| FY2021 | $62,900 | $59,339 | $75,408 | 15 |
| FY2022 | $72,000 | $60,216 | $77,200 | 33 |
| FY2023 | $74,470 | $65,499 | $95,628 | 28 |
| FY2024 | $78,500 | $65,806 | $95,750 | 18 |
| FY2025 | $91,520 | $70,000 | $111,491 | 34 |
| FY2026 | $93,000 | $71,000 | $103,000 | 35 |
Cost of living
Chicago's median Cost Estimator salary of $91,520 is worth about $88,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Chicago = 103.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Cost Estimators in the Chicago, IL area earned a median of $83,640 in May 2025 (4,610 employed). The H-1B median here is $91,520, 9% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Top employers filing
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| John Burns Construction Company | too few | 4 |
| Pan-Oceanic Engineering | too few | 3 |
| Cumming Management Group | too few | 2 |
| Drive Construction | too few | 2 |
| Indecor Group | too few | 2 |
| Integrated Environmental Solutions | too few | 2 |
| J.T. Magen & Company | too few | 2 |
| Level Construction | too few | 2 |
| Magnolia Capital Management Company | too few | 2 |
| Mercury Partners 90 Bi | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | – | 0 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $72,176 | 26 |
| Senior · Level III | $110,250 | 19 |
| Expert · Level IV | $111,005 | 17 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level · Level II | $69,451 | $72,176 | 26 |
| Senior · Level III | $84,989 | $110,250 | 19 |
| Expert · Level IV | $100,547 | $111,005 | 17 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.