Cost Estimator Salary in Albuquerque, NM
Cost Estimators in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median $73,090 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,979 take-home, or $4,832 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Albuquerque, NM. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,250
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,532
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,060
- New Mexico income tax$2,270
- Take-home pay$57,979
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Albuquerque, NM
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,810 | $19.14 | $33,423 | $2,785 |
| 25th percentile | $50,890 | $24.47 | $41,844 | $3,487 |
| Median (50th) | $73,090 | $35.14 | $57,979 | $4,832 |
| 75th percentile | $93,610 | $45.00 | $71,429 | $5,952 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,970 | $55.75 | $86,063 | $7,172 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New Mexico resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,090 buys in Albuquerque, NM
Prices in Albuquerque, NM are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $57,979 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,682 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 Albuquerque, NM as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.89).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Albuquerque, NM ranks #68 of 90 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge, LA | $84,710 | $66,268 | $72,999 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $102,640 | $76,125 | $70,313 |
| 3 | New Orleans, LA | $81,170 | $63,884 | $68,992 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls, SD | $76,130 | $62,387 | $68,837 |
| 5 | Nashville, TN | $81,300 | $66,025 | $68,534 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $76,660 | $62,760 | $68,085 |
| 7 | Dayton, OH | $79,020 | $63,030 | $67,998 |
| 8 | Worcester, MA | $92,570 | $69,544 | $67,833 |
| 68 | Albuquerque, NM | $73,090 | $57,979 | $60,682 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median cost estimator salary in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $73,090 a year, or about $35.14 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,890 and $93,610.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Albuquerque, NM?
On the median $73,090 salary, a single filer living in New Mexico takes home about $57,979 a year ($4,832 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,270 in New Mexico taxes in 2026.
Is Albuquerque, NM a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,682 would in a typical U.S. city. Albuquerque, NM ranks #68 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Albuquerque, NM?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Albuquerque, NM is $1,185 a month ($1,464 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 Albuquerque, NM
- Project Management Specialist — $106,730
- Management Analyst — $100,130
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $86,490
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $86,420
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $81,070
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $80,290
- Accountant and Auditor — $79,880
- Human Resources Specialist — $73,290
- Compliance Officer — $66,860
- Training and Development Specialist — $64,690
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $62,990
- Loan Officer — $62,250