Cost Estimator Salary in Charlotte, NC
Cost Estimators in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $77,990 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,093 take-home, or $5,091 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,328
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,835
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,131
- North Carolina income tax$2,603
- Take-home pay$61,093
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,520 | $22.85 | $38,975 | $3,248 |
| 25th percentile | $59,270 | $28.50 | $47,947 | $3,996 |
| Median (50th) | $77,990 | $37.50 | $61,093 | $5,091 |
| 75th percentile | $98,450 | $47.33 | $74,670 | $6,223 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,690 | $61.39 | $93,956 | $7,830 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,990 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $61,093 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,757 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charlotte, NC 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
Charlotte, NC ranks #47 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 |
| 47 | Charlotte, NC | $77,990 | $61,093 | $62,757 |
*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 North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $79,230
- Greensboro, NC — $73,410
- Winston, NC — $71,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Charlotte, NC?
The median cost estimator salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $77,990 a year, or about $37.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,270 and $98,450.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $77,990 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $61,093 a year ($5,091 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,603 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,757 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #47 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
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- Financial and Investment Analyst — $106,510
- Financial Examiner — $105,240
- Project Management Specialist — $105,200
- Management Analyst — $102,920
- Credit Analyst — $100,640
- Personal Financial Advisor — $99,440
- Accountant and Auditor — $92,910
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $87,530
- Compliance Officer — $86,720
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