Cost Estimator Salary in Denver, CO
Cost Estimators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $89,820 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $68,775 take-home, or $5,731 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,930
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,569
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,302
- Colorado income tax$3,244
- Take-home pay$68,775
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,800 | $28.75 | $48,307 | $4,026 |
| 25th percentile | $74,620 | $35.88 | $58,750 | $4,896 |
| Median (50th) | $89,820 | $43.18 | $68,775 | $5,731 |
| 75th percentile | $111,230 | $53.48 | $82,895 | $6,908 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,230 | $65.01 | $98,454 | $8,204 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $89,820 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $68,775 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,015 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO 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
Denver, CO ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Denver, CO | $89,820 | $68,775 | $65,015 |
*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 Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $84,990
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Denver, CO?
The median cost estimator salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $89,820 a year, or about $43.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $74,620 and $111,230.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $89,820 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $68,775 a year ($5,731 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,244 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,015 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #26 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Financial Risk Specialist — $118,620
- Project Management Specialist — $116,740
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $104,480
- Management Analyst — $102,620
- Insurance Underwriter — $101,840
- Financial Examiner — $101,070
- Budget Analyst — $100,720
- Loan Officer — $100,130
- Accountant and Auditor — $100,020
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $99,040
- Personal Financial Advisor — $98,740
- Logistician — $97,290