How to Become a Construction Cost Estimator in North Carolina: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median construction cost estimator salary in North Carolina is $74,730 per year - 5% below the national median of $78,740 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in construction management, building science, or business.
Construction Cost Estimator Salary in North Carolina
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| North Carolina entry level (10th percentile) | $43,580 |
| North Carolina 25th-75th percentile | $57,680 - $94,320 |
| North Carolina median | $74,730 |
| North Carolina top earners (90th percentile) | $123,240 |
| U.S. median | $78,740 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 8,030.
The North Carolina Job Market: Construction Cost Estimator
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in North Carolina | 8,030 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 1.62 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.13 |
| Mean annual wage in North Carolina | $78,060 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.13, North Carolina’s demand for cost estimators tracks close to the national average.
Requirements in North Carolina
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in construction management, building science, or business - while licensing runs through North Carolina’s own boards: No license; ASPE/AACE certifications valued. Verify current requirements with the North Carolina licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Construction Cost Estimator.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,530 |
| 25th | $61,150 |
| 50th (median) | $78,740 |
| 75th | $101,850 |
| 90th | $130,820 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 221,400 |
| 2034 projected | 212,100 |
| Percent change | -4.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a construction cost estimator make in North Carolina?
The median annual wage for cost estimators in North Carolina is $74,730 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 5% below the national median of $78,740.
How do I become a construction cost estimator in North Carolina?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in construction management, building science, or business - with licensing administered at the state level: No license; ASPE/AACE certifications valued. See the steps below.
How many cost estimators work in North Carolina?
BLS counts about 8,030 cost estimators employed in North Carolina (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Construction Cost Estimator in Nearby States
- Construction Cost Estimator in New Mexico
- Construction Cost Estimator in New York
- Construction Cost Estimator in North Dakota
- Construction Cost Estimator in Ohio
Related
- How to Become a Construction Cost Estimator (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Cost Estimators (SOC 13-1051), North Carolina and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |