Cost Estimator Salary in Allentown, PA
Cost Estimators in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area earn a median $76,810 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,508 take-home, or $5,042 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Allentown, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,068
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,762
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,114
- Pennsylvania income tax$2,358
- Take-home pay$60,508
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro spans Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Allentown, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,210 | $24.62 | $41,755 | $3,480 |
| 25th percentile | $62,670 | $30.13 | $50,611 | $4,218 |
| Median (50th) | $76,810 | $36.93 | $60,508 | $5,042 |
| 75th percentile | $98,220 | $47.22 | $74,912 | $6,243 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,660 | $60.89 | $93,950 | $7,829 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,810 buys in Allentown, PA
Prices in Allentown, PA are 0.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.06× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $60,508 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,527 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 Allentown, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Allentown, PA ranks #70 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 |
| 70 | Allentown, PA | $76,810 | $60,508 | $60,527 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
Cost Estimator salaries elsewhere in Pennsylvania
- York, PA — $80,170
- Pittsburgh, PA — $77,980
- Harrisburg, PA — $78,060
- Lancaster, PA — $77,450
- Philadelphia, PA — $79,880
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Allentown, PA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metro area is $76,810 a year, or about $36.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,670 and $98,220.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Allentown, PA?
On the median $76,810 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $60,508 a year ($5,042 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,358 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Allentown, PA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 0.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,527 would in a typical U.S. city. Allentown, PA ranks #70 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Allentown, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Allentown, PA is $1,365 a month ($1,667 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Allentown, PA
- Project Management Specialist — $100,050
- Management Analyst — $95,780
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,430
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $77,490
- Logistician — $76,040
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $75,970
- Compliance Officer — $73,650
- Human Resources Specialist — $70,040
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $67,740
- Training and Development Specialist — $65,970