Cost Estimator Salary in Seattle, WA
Cost Estimators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $94,490 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,304 take-home, or $6,275 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,958
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,858
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,370
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$75,304
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 Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,020 | $29.82 | $52,013 | $4,334 |
| 25th percentile | $75,410 | $36.25 | $61,881 | $5,157 |
| Median (50th) | $94,490 | $45.43 | $75,304 | $6,275 |
| 75th percentile | $120,700 | $58.03 | $93,742 | $7,812 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,220 | $73.18 | $115,308 | $9,609 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $94,490 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $75,304 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,760 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.4× the national concentration of cost estimator jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #2 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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Seattle, WA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $94,490 a year, or about $45.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,410 and $120,700.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $94,490 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $75,304 a year ($6,275 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,760 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #2 of 21 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
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- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $102,170
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- Accountant and Auditor — $99,370
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- Compliance Officer — $95,850
- Human Resources Specialist — $92,770
- Training and Development Specialist — $89,550