Cost Estimator Salary in Atlanta, GA
Cost Estimators in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $82,870 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,451 take-home, or $5,288 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,401
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,138
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,202
- Georgia income tax$3,678
- Take-home pay$63,451
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.19% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,500 | $23.80 | $40,007 | $3,334 |
| 25th percentile | $63,440 | $30.50 | $50,484 | $4,207 |
| Median (50th) | $82,870 | $39.84 | $63,451 | $5,288 |
| 75th percentile | $100,800 | $48.46 | $75,134 | $6,261 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,750 | $64.78 | $96,997 | $8,083 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,870 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $63,451 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,414 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 Atlanta, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #39 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 |
| 39 | Atlanta, GA | $82,870 | $63,451 | $63,414 |
*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 Atlanta, GA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $82,870 a year, or about $39.84 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,440 and $100,800.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $82,870 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $63,451 a year ($5,288 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,678 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,414 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #39 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
- Financial Risk Specialist — $104,850
- Personal Financial Advisor — $103,990
- Project Management Specialist — $103,400
- Management Analyst — $101,220
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $100,830
- Budget Analyst — $99,880
- Insurance Underwriter — $95,430
- Labor Relations Specialist — $86,590
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,820
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $81,300
- Credit Analyst — $80,750
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $80,020