Expert Cost Estimator salary in Houston, TX
Based on 22 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Baytown, The Woodlands, Spring, Humble, Conroe.
Also listed as: Cost Manager
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $97,972 |
| 25th | $115,000 |
| 50th (median) | $123,689 |
| 75th | $144,734 |
| 90th | $165,638 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2021 | $110,101 | $103,125 | $131,250 | 16 |
| FY2022 | $121,500 | $103,750 | $146,518 | 14 |
| FY2023 | $135,750 | $119,622 | $149,713 | 16 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2025 | $123,378 | $115,000 | $162,832 | 13 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 9 |
Cost of living
Houston's median expert Cost Estimator salary of $123,689 is worth about $125,400 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Houston = 98.6).
Compared with all workers here
All Cost Estimators in the Houston, TX area earned a median of $78,200 in May 2025 (5,660 employed). The H-1B median here is $123,689, 58% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Fluor Enterprises | too few | 3 |
| Turner & Townsend | too few | 3 |
| Level Commercial | too few | 2 |
| McDermott | too few | 2 |
| Webber | 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 | $60,000 | 13 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $72,000 | 19 |
| Senior · Level III | $90,000 | 21 |
| Expert · Level IV | $123,689 | 22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $48,734 | $60,000 | 13 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $62,899 | $72,000 | 19 |
| Senior · Level III | $79,706 | $90,000 | 21 |
| Expert · Level IV | $94,765 | $123,689 | 22 |
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.