Salary distribution
Where South Carolina cost estimators fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $54,760 and $87,700, with a median of $67,420.
Cost Estimators in South Carolina: 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: $95,000. 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 | 1 | $51,524 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $83,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 5 | $112,360 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 4 | $104,789 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Cost Estimators in South Carolina. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluor Enterprises, Inc. | Associate Estimator II | 3 | $112,360 |
| Microsoft Corporation | Construction Project Management | 2 | $160,472 |
| Stanley Martin Homes, LLC | Estimator Manager | 1 | $88,577 |
| Omega Construction Inc. | BIM Construction Estimator | 1 | $80,808 |
| Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc. | Provisional Vessel Expense Analyst | 1 | $51,524 |
| Otis Elevator Company | Cost Engineer | 1 | $73,466 |
| Clemson University | Pre-Construction Manager/Cost Estimator | 1 | $95,000 |
| Arcadis U.S., Inc. | Cost Manager | 1 | $148,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Estimator Manager at Stanley Martin Homes, LLC$88,577GreenvilleWage Level IVDecided Jul 24, 2025I-200-25198-181309
- BIM Construction Estimator at Omega Construction Inc.$80,808GreenvilleWage Level IIIDecided Jul 21, 2025I-200-25195-172416
- Provisional Vessel Expense Analyst at Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc.$51,524Mt. PleasantWage Level IDecided Jun 2, 2025I-200-25143-014150
- Associate Estimator II at Fluor Enterprises, Inc.$83,000GreenvilleWage Level IIDecided May 15, 2025I-200-25128-955227
- Project Controls Specialist IV at Fluor Enterprises, Inc.$121,000GreenvilleWage Level IVDecided Apr 29, 2025I-200-25112-890713
- Cost Engineer at Otis Elevator Company$73,466FlorenceWage Level IVDecided Apr 9, 2025I-200-25092-822439
- Pre-Construction Manager/Cost Estimator at Clemson University$95,000SenecaWage Level IIIDecided Feb 18, 2025I-200-25041-679883
- Construction Project Management at Microsoft Corporation$160,472LadsonWage Level IIIDecided Dec 3, 2024I-200-24330-497023
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 South Carolina
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 South Carolina, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $160,472.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Microsoft Corporation | 2 | $160,472 |
| Transportation and logistics | Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc. | 1 | $51,524 |
| Manufacturing | Otis Elevator Company | 1 | $73,466 |
| Education | Clemson University | 1 | $95,000 |
| Professional services | Arcadis U.S., Inc. | 1 | $148,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Carolina 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Cost Estimators in South Carolina?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Cost Estimators in South Carolina is $67,420.
- How does South Carolina compare to the national median for Cost Estimators?
- The South Carolina median is -12.7% versus the BLS national figure of $77,225.
- What is the salary range for Cost Estimators in South Carolina?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $44,500 and the 90th-percentile at $106,800, 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.