Cost Estimator Salary in Fresno, CA
Cost Estimators in the Fresno, CA metro area earn a median $84,140 a year — 7% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,333 take-home, or $5,278 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Fresno, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,681
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,217
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,220
- California income tax$3,595
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,094
- Take-home pay$63,333
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Fresno, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,170 | $24.60 | $41,510 | $3,459 |
| 25th percentile | $63,570 | $30.56 | $50,559 | $4,213 |
| Median (50th) | $84,140 | $40.45 | $63,333 | $5,278 |
| 75th percentile | $128,320 | $61.69 | $89,600 | $7,467 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,690 | $71.97 | $101,942 | $8,495 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $84,140 buys in Fresno, CA
Prices in Fresno, CA are 2.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 4% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $63,333 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,995 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 Fresno, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Fresno, CA ranks #55 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 |
| 55 | Fresno, CA | $84,140 | $63,333 | $61,995 |
*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 California
- Santa Rosa, CA — $95,650
- San Jose, CA — $97,580
- San Francisco, CA — $101,630
- Sacramento, CA — $83,190
- Stockton, CA — $81,380
- San Diego, CA — $87,170
- Riverside, CA — $76,900
- Los Angeles, CA — $82,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Fresno, CA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Fresno, CA metro area is $84,140 a year, or about $40.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,570 and $128,320.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Fresno, CA?
On the median $84,140 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $63,333 a year ($5,278 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,689 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Fresno, CA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 7% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 2.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,995 would in a typical U.S. city. Fresno, CA ranks #55 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Fresno, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fresno, CA is $1,315 a month ($1,625 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fresno, CA
- Project Management Specialist — $101,030
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $87,910
- Management Analyst — $84,200
- Compliance Officer — $79,830
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,690
- Loan Officer — $78,060
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $76,770
- Human Resources Specialist — $74,170
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $72,080
- Training and Development Specialist — $65,060
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $62,880
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents — $56,890