Salary distribution
Where Michigan cost estimators fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $59,380 and $99,050, with a median of $76,080.
Cost Estimators in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 11 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $83,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $61,814 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $78,250 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $143,925 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Cost Estimators in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachse Construction and Development Company, LLC | Cost Engineer | 2 | $80,250 |
| AirBoss Flexible Products, LLC | Manager Cost and Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) | 1 | $133,164 |
| P & C Group I, Inc. | Cost Estimator | 1 | $100,131 |
| OAKLAND MANAGEMENT CORPORATION | SENIOR CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATOR | 1 | $135,921 |
| Oliver/Hatcher Construction & Development Inc. | Sr. Construction Cost Estimator | 1 | $105,000 |
| Fuyao Glass America Inc. | Cost Analyst | 1 | $73,000 |
| Fuyao Automotive North America, Inc. | Cost Analyst | 1 | $73,000 |
| Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc. | Cost Planner | 1 | $50,627 |
| North American Lighting, Inc. | Cost Engineering-AGM | 1 | $182,850 |
| Hosler Mechanical, Inc. | Project Engineer | 1 | $79,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Manager Cost and Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE) at AirBoss Flexible Products, LLC$133,164Auburn HillsDecided Dec 26, 2025I-200-25352-495607
- Cost Estimator at P & C Group I, Inc.$100,131Farmington HillsDecided Dec 10, 2025I-200-25337-453483
- SENIOR CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATOR at OAKLAND MANAGEMENT CORPORATION$135,921FARMINGTON HILLSDecided Nov 24, 2025I-200-25321-413837
- Sr. Construction Cost Estimator at Oliver/Hatcher Construction & Development Inc.$105,000NoviWage Level IVDecided Sep 8, 2025I-200-25241-275892
- Cost Analyst at Fuyao Glass America Inc.$73,000PlymouthWage Level IDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-121719
- Cost Analyst at Fuyao Automotive North America, Inc.$73,000PlymouthWage Level IIDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25157-061158
- Cost Planner at Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Inc.$50,627Farmington HillsWage Level IDecided May 30, 2025I-200-25142-009412
- Cost Engineer at Sachse Construction and Development Company, LLC$77,500DetroitWage Level IIDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-984304
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Cost Estimators pay by experience level in Michigan
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Cost Estimators in Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 7 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $86,566.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | AirBoss Flexible Products, LLC | 6 | $86,566 |
| Real estate | OAKLAND MANAGEMENT CORPORATION | 1 | $135,921 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Michigan over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.4 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Inductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Mathematics
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- 02
Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- 03
Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- 04
Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- 05
Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- 06
Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
- 07
Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- 08
Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-4.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for cost estimators in major Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$79,660
Compare Cost Estimators pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Cost Estimators in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Cost Estimators in Michigan is $76,080.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Cost Estimators?
- The Michigan median is -1.5% versus the BLS national figure of $77,225.
- What is the salary range for Cost Estimators in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $44,940 and the 90th-percentile at $121,870, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Cost Estimators a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -4.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Cost Estimators?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.