Cost Estimator Salary in Birmingham, AL
Cost Estimators in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median $79,330 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,937 take-home, or $5,078 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Birmingham, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,623
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,918
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,150
- Alabama income tax$3,702
- Take-home pay$60,937
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Birmingham, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,290 | $23.22 | $38,832 | $3,236 |
| 25th percentile | $57,210 | $27.50 | $45,553 | $3,796 |
| Median (50th) | $79,330 | $38.14 | $60,937 | $5,078 |
| 75th percentile | $99,910 | $48.03 | $74,386 | $6,199 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,330 | $62.18 | $93,462 | $7,788 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,330 buys in Birmingham, AL
Prices in Birmingham, AL are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $60,937 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,493 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 Birmingham, AL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Birmingham, AL ranks #14 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 |
| 14 | Birmingham, AL | $79,330 | $60,937 | $66,493 |
*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 Birmingham, AL?
The median cost estimator salary in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $79,330 a year, or about $38.14 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,210 and $99,910.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Birmingham, AL?
On the median $79,330 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $60,937 a year ($5,078 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,702 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,493 would in a typical U.S. city. Birmingham, AL ranks #14 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Birmingham, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Birmingham, AL is $1,115 a month ($1,234 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
- Management Analyst — $108,220
- Project Management Specialist — $100,820
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $91,290
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $86,530
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $84,640
- Personal Financial Advisor — $79,480
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,660
- Compliance Officer — $77,780
- Logistician — $77,210
- Training and Development Specialist — $71,040
- Human Resources Specialist — $67,880
- Loan Officer — $66,740