Cost Estimator Salary in Baltimore, MD
Cost Estimators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median $80,130 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,759 take-home, or $5,147 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Baltimore, MD. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,799
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,968
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,162
- Maryland income tax$3,443
- Take-home pay$61,759
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.75% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Baltimore, MD
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,750 | $23.92 | $40,155 | $3,346 |
| 25th percentile | $62,590 | $30.09 | $49,862 | $4,155 |
| Median (50th) | $80,130 | $38.52 | $61,759 | $5,147 |
| 75th percentile | $103,940 | $49.97 | $77,378 | $6,448 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,330 | $60.74 | $91,926 | $7,661 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Maryland resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,130 buys in Baltimore, MD
Prices in Baltimore, MD are 4.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.18× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $61,759 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,107 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baltimore, MD has 1.2× 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
Baltimore, MD ranks #75 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 |
| 75 | Baltimore, MD | $80,130 | $61,759 | $59,107 |
*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 Baltimore, MD?
The median cost estimator salary in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $80,130 a year, or about $38.52 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,590 and $103,940.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Baltimore, MD?
On the median $80,130 salary, a single filer living in Maryland takes home about $61,759 a year ($5,147 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,443 in Maryland taxes in 2026.
Is Baltimore, MD a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 4.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,107 would in a typical U.S. city. Baltimore, MD ranks #75 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Baltimore, MD?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baltimore, MD is $1,511 a month ($1,857 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baltimore, MD
- Management Analyst — $117,750
- Project Management Specialist — $103,720
- Logistician — $102,700
- Personal Financial Advisor — $98,970
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $98,880
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $98,700
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $98,060
- Budget Analyst — $96,150
- Insurance Underwriter — $93,510
- Accountant and Auditor — $85,160
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $84,590
- Human Resources Specialist — $82,380