Cost Estimators pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $52,520 a year or less, while the top 10% make $103,880 or more. The middle half of cost estimators in Fargo earn between $61,020 and $91,710.
- $53K10th
- $61K25th
- $74KMedian
- $92K75th
- $104K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $78,980 | $6,582 | $37.97 |
| Median | $73,760 | $6,147 | $35.46 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,020 | $5,085 | $29.34 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $91,710 | $7,642 | $44.09 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cost Estimators pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Cost estimators in Fargo earn about the same as the North Dakota average ($77,540) and 8% less than the U.S. average ($85,390). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $78,740.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $78,980 | $73,760 | $52,520 | $103,880 | 320 |
| North Dakota | $77,540 | $73,280 | $52,730 | $104,050 | 730 |
| United States | $85,390 | $78,740 | $48,530 | $130,820 | 224,220 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cost Estimators salary after taxes in Fargo
On the average salary of $78,980, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $64,133 a year, or $5,344 a month and $2,467 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $64,133 | $5,344 |
| Working in MN | $60,545 | $5,045 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for cost estimators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $78,980 buys what about $86,914 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 4.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Cost Estimators salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 3rd of 4 North Dakota metro areas for this job; Grand Forks pays the most ($80,710).
- Grand Forks$80,710
- Minot$79,830
- Fargo$78,980
- Bismarck$71,450
Highest-paying cities for cost estimators
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($109,520).
- San Francisco, CA$109,520
- San Jose, CA$108,990
- Boston, MA$108,390
- Amherst, MA$102,520
- Santa Rosa, CA$101,290
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Cost Estimators salary in Fargo: questions
How much do cost estimators make an hour in Fargo?
$37.97 an hour on average, and $35.46 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cost estimators salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $52,520 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,020, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cost estimators take-home pay in Fargo?
About $64,133 a year ($5,344 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $78,980.
Do cost estimators earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is 8% less than the U.S. average for this job ($85,390).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 13-1051; area Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.50, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.