Cost Estimator salary in San Diego, CA
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Escondido.
Also listed as: Cost Manager
Median salary$120,000
Middle 50%$82.9k–$159.6k
vs. national median+32%comparison median $90,948
Filings15FY2025–FY2026 · latest two fiscal years
Salary range
National median
$25k$50k$75k$100k$125k$150k$175k$200k$225k
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $71,000 |
| 25th | $82,908 |
| 50th (median) | $120,000 |
| 75th | $159,567 |
| 90th | $181,710 |
Cost of living
San Diego's median Cost Estimator salary of $120,000 is worth about $107,300 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; San Diego = 111.9).
Compared with all workers here
All Cost Estimators in the San Diego, CA area earned a median of $87,170 in May 2025 (2,740 employed). The H-1B median here is $120,000, 38% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cumming Management Group | too few | 4 |
| Helix Electric | too few | 2 |
| Microsoft | too few | 2 |
| Wu & Associates | 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 | too few | 2 |
| Mid-level · Level II | too few | 2 |
| Senior · Level III | too few | 4 |
| Expert · Level IV | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.