How much does a Cost Analyst make in the United States?
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The average Cost Analyst salary in the United States is $125,769 as of January 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Cost Analyst positions (listed below) typically falls between $61,410 and $190,128. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Cost Analyst's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Cost Analyst II | $85,079 | $40.90 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Analyst III | $102,657 | $49.35 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Analyst I | $70,241 | $33.77 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Analyst IV | $126,736 | $60.93 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Estimation Analyst I | $74,255 | $35.70 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Estimation Analyst III | $108,483 | $52.16 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Estimation Analyst IV | $140,345 | $67.47 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Estimation Analyst II | $87,950 | $42.28 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Cost Estimation Analyst V | $170,590 | $82.01 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
| Traffic/Rate Analyst II | $74,461 | $35.80 | United States | January 01, 2026 |
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Provides cost analysis results to assist management in decision making or other financial initiatives. Performs variance analysis between actual and standard costs. Monitors, analyzes, and reports on inventory valuation, production, and various other costs. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a Manager. Has exposure to some of the more complex tasks within the job function. Some supervision in several aspects of the work required. Typically requires 2 to 4 years of related experience. View Cost Analyst II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost and Productivity Analyst II, Cost Variance and Control Analyst II, Inventory Control and Cost Analyst Intermediate, Cost Analyst II
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Provides cost analysis results to assist management in decision making or other financial initiatives. Generates reports by analyzing the costs and resources, and helps determine actionable projects based on the reports. Responsible for identifying existing trends and monitoring changes over time. May guide the work of lower-level staff. Requires a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a Manager. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Typically requires 4 to 7 years of related experience. View Cost Analyst III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost and Productivity Analyst III, Cost Variance and Control Analyst III, Inventory Control and Cost Analyst Senior, Cost Analyst III
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Performs variance analysis between actual and standard costs to assist management in decision making or other financial initiatives. Monitors, analyzes, and reports on inventory valuation, production, and various other costs. Provides productivity analysis. May require a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a Manager. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Cost Analyst I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost and Productivity Analyst I, Cost Variance and Control Analyst I, Inventory Control and Cost Analyst Entry, Cost Analyst I
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Provides cost analysis results to assist senior management in decision making or other financial initiatives. Monitors, analyzes, and reports on inventory valuation, production, and various other costs. Review reports/data files and makes recommendations. Ensures productivity analysis is provided for utilization. Requires a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. Typically reports to a Manager. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Cost Analyst IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost and Productivity Analyst IV, Cost Variance and Control Analyst IV, Inventory Control and Cost Analyst Specialist, Cost Analyst IV
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Estimates costs for construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other implementation projects based on an analysis of project technical requirements. Collects data and analyzes all project costs, including raw materials, labor, equipment and tooling to ensure estimates are accurate. Identifies and quantifies potential cost uncertainties to ensure costing models capture the full range of potential costs. Updates costs as necessary based on new information and project scope changes. Coordinates with project management, engineering, procurement and other project stakeholders. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. View Cost Estimation Analyst I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost Engineer and Estimator I, Project Cost Estimator I, Cost Estimation Analyst ICategories : Engineering , Construction and Installation , Entry Level , Financial Services , Manufacturing , Planning
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Estimates costs for construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other implementation projects based on an analysis of project technical requirements. Collects data and analyzes all project costs, including raw materials, labor, equipment and tooling to ensure estimates are accurate. Identifies and quantifies potential cost uncertainties to ensure costing models capture the full range of potential costs. Updates costs as necessary based on new information and project scope changes. Coordinates with project management, engineering, procurement and other project stakeholders. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. View Cost Estimation Analyst III SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost Engineer and Estimator III, Project Cost Estimator III, Cost Estimation Analyst IIICategories : Engineering , Construction and Installation , Financial Services , Manufacturing , Planning
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Estimates costs for construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other implementation projects based on an analysis of project technical requirements. Collects data and analyzes all project costs, including raw materials, labor, equipment and tooling to ensure estimates are accurate. Identifies and quantifies potential cost uncertainties to ensure costing models capture the full range of potential costs. Updates costs as necessary based on new information and project scope changes. Coordinates with project management, engineering, procurement and other project stakeholders. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. View Cost Estimation Analyst IV SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost Engineer and Estimator IV, Project Cost Estimator IV, Cost Estimation Analyst IVCategories : Engineering , Construction and Installation , Financial Services , Manufacturing , Planning
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Estimates costs for construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other implementation projects based on an analysis of project technical requirements. Collects data and analyzes all project costs, including raw materials, labor, equipment and tooling to ensure estimates are accurate. Identifies and quantifies potential cost uncertainties to ensure costing models capture the full range of potential costs. Updates costs as necessary based on new information and project scope changes. Coordinates with project management, engineering, procurement and other project stakeholders. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Cost Estimation Analyst II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost Engineer and Estimator II, Project Cost Estimator II, Cost Estimation Analyst IICategories : Engineering , Construction and Installation , Financial Services , Manufacturing , Planning
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Estimates costs for construction, engineering, manufacturing, or other implementation projects based on an analysis of project technical requirements. Collects data and analyzes all project costs, including raw materials, labor, equipment and tooling to ensure estimates are accurate. Identifies and quantifies potential cost uncertainties to ensure costing models capture the full range of potential costs. Updates costs as necessary based on new information and project scope changes. Coordinates with project management, engineering, procurement and other project stakeholders. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. View Cost Estimation Analyst V SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Cost Engineer and Estimator V, Project Cost Estimator V, Cost Estimation Analyst VCategories : Engineering , Construction and Installation , Financial Services , Logistics , Manufacturing , Planning
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Analyzes shipping rates, transportation costs, and traffic patterns to optimize freight movement and reduce expenses. Develops transportation and demand metrics to forecast and manage peak demand periods and avoid delays or bottlenecks. Evaluates freight costs and classifications, delivery methods, and delivery schedules to determine optimal routes and modes of transportation. Monitors and reviews charges and researches industry trends and competitors to determine profitable and fair service rates. Develops and updates rate calculations to forecast various scenarios and impacts on costs and expenditures. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. View Traffic/Rate Analyst II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Freight Cost Analyst II, Intermediate Traffic/Rate Analyst, Logistics and Traffic Specialist II, Traffic/Rate Analyst II