Cost Estimator Salary in Houston, TX
Cost Estimators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area earn a median $78,200 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,844 take-home, or $5,320 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Houston, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,374
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,848
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,134
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$63,844
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Houston, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,800 | $21.54 | $38,177 | $3,181 |
| 25th percentile | $59,930 | $28.81 | $50,334 | $4,194 |
| Median (50th) | $78,200 | $37.60 | $63,844 | $5,320 |
| 75th percentile | $101,710 | $48.90 | $80,383 | $6,699 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,450 | $63.68 | $101,796 | $8,483 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,200 buys in Houston, TX
Prices in Houston, TX are 1.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $63,844 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,731 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cost Estimator jobs are about as common in Houston, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Houston, TX ranks #4 of 21 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $102,640 | $76,125 | $70,313 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $94,490 | $75,304 | $67,760 |
| 3 | Denver, CO | $89,820 | $68,775 | $65,015 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $78,200 | $63,844 | $64,731 |
| 5 | St. Louis, MO | $78,730 | $61,454 | $64,628 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $101,630 | $73,784 | $63,819 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $82,870 | $63,451 | $63,414 |
| 8 | Charlotte, NC | $77,990 | $61,093 | $62,757 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 21 metros →
About the job: cost estimators
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -3.1% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cost Estimator salaries elsewhere in Texas
- Dallas, TX — $79,290
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Houston, TX?
The median cost estimator salary in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $78,200 a year, or about $37.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,930 and $101,710.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Houston, TX?
On the median $78,200 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $63,844 a year ($5,320 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Houston, TX a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 1.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,731 would in a typical U.S. city. Houston, TX ranks #4 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Houston, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Houston, TX is $1,316 a month ($1,558 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Houston, TX
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,660
- Management Analyst — $101,120
- Project Management Specialist — $99,510
- Personal Financial Advisor — $98,930
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,090
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $82,060
- Compliance Officer — $78,860
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $78,820
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $76,290
- Logistician — $75,940
- Human Resources Specialist — $72,550
- Loan Officer — $67,560