Cost Estimator Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Cost Estimators in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $76,730 a year — 3% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,576 take-home, or $5,048 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,051
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,757
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,113
- Indiana income tax$2,234
- Take-home pay$60,576
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.95% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,900 | $26.39 | $44,702 | $3,725 |
| 25th percentile | $61,770 | $29.70 | $50,019 | $4,168 |
| Median (50th) | $76,730 | $36.89 | $60,576 | $5,048 |
| 75th percentile | $95,800 | $46.06 | $73,429 | $6,119 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,380 | $52.11 | $81,908 | $6,826 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,730 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $60,576 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,300 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 Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #40 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 |
| 40 | Indianapolis, IN | $76,730 | $60,576 | $63,300 |
*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 Indianapolis, IN?
The median cost estimator salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $76,730 a year, or about $36.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,770 and $95,800.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $76,730 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $60,576 a year ($5,048 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,234 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 3% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,300 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #40 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 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 Indianapolis, IN
- Personal Financial Advisor — $102,640
- Project Management Specialist — $99,710
- Management Analyst — $97,020
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $95,410
- Compliance Officer — $83,690
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $81,520
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $80,470
- Accountant and Auditor — $79,290
- Insurance Underwriter — $79,280
- Logistician — $78,030
- Labor Relations Specialist — $76,980
- Loan Officer — $74,790