Cost Estimator Salary in Baton Rouge, LA
Cost Estimators in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area earn a median $84,710 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,268 take-home, or $5,522 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Baton Rouge, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,806
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,252
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,228
- Louisiana income tax$2,155
- Take-home pay$66,268
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.00% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Baton Rouge, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,970 | $23.54 | $40,445 | $3,370 |
| 25th percentile | $63,530 | $30.54 | $51,707 | $4,309 |
| Median (50th) | $84,710 | $40.73 | $66,268 | $5,522 |
| 75th percentile | $106,480 | $51.19 | $80,931 | $6,744 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,230 | $63.09 | $97,411 | $8,118 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,710 buys in Baton Rouge, LA
Prices in Baton Rouge, LA are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 26% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $66,268 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,999 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baton Rouge, LA has 1.6× 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
Baton Rouge, LA ranks #1 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 |
*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 Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA — $81,170
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Baton Rouge, LA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Baton Rouge, LA metro area is $84,710 a year, or about $40.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,530 and $106,480.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Baton Rouge, LA?
On the median $84,710 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $66,268 a year ($5,522 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,155 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Baton Rouge, LA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,999 would in a typical U.S. city. Baton Rouge, LA ranks #1 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Baton Rouge, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Baton Rouge, LA is $1,048 a month ($1,187 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Baton Rouge, LA
- Management Analyst — $99,680
- Project Management Specialist — $86,650
- Accountant and Auditor — $73,070
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $71,150
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $62,800
- Human Resources Specialist — $61,400
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $61,110
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $61,110
- Training and Development Specialist — $60,110
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $59,680
- Loan Officer — $59,080
- Compliance Officer — $57,480