Cost Estimator Salary in Columbus, OH
Cost Estimators in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $79,990 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,686 take-home, or $5,307 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Columbus, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,768
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,959
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,160
- Ohio income tax$1,417
- Take-home pay$63,686
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,440 | $23.77 | $41,328 | $3,444 |
| 25th percentile | $63,480 | $30.52 | $52,223 | $4,352 |
| Median (50th) | $79,990 | $38.46 | $63,686 | $5,307 |
| 75th percentile | $101,050 | $48.58 | $77,922 | $6,494 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,020 | $61.55 | $96,029 | $8,002 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,990 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $63,686 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,708 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 Columbus, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #11 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 |
| 11 | Columbus, OH | $79,990 | $63,686 | $66,708 |
*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 Ohio
- Dayton, OH — $79,020
- Cleveland, OH — $78,120
- Akron, OH — $77,490
- Cincinnati, OH — $79,130
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Columbus, OH?
The median cost estimator salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $79,990 a year, or about $38.46 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,480 and $101,050.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $79,990 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $63,686 a year ($5,307 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,417 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH 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% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,708 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #11 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 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 Columbus, OH
- Financial Risk Specialist — $100,350
- Project Management Specialist — $98,660
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $97,920
- Labor Relations Specialist — $96,100
- Management Analyst — $90,010
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $83,160
- Loan Officer — $82,160
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $82,030
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,700
- Personal Financial Advisor — $81,600
- Financial Examiner — $81,000
- Logistician — $80,710