Cost Estimator Salary in Lancaster, PA
Cost Estimators in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median $77,450 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,938 take-home, or $5,078 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Lancaster, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,209
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,802
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,123
- Pennsylvania income tax$2,378
- Take-home pay$60,938
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.07% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Lancaster, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,600 | $24.81 | $42,056 | $3,505 |
| 25th percentile | $62,780 | $30.18 | $50,696 | $4,225 |
| Median (50th) | $77,450 | $37.24 | $60,938 | $5,078 |
| 75th percentile | $96,820 | $46.55 | $73,970 | $6,164 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,770 | $59.50 | $92,063 | $7,672 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,450 buys in Lancaster, PA
Prices in Lancaster, PA are 1.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 6% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $60,938 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,019 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lancaster, PA has 1.9× 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
Lancaster, PA ranks #54 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 |
| 54 | Lancaster, PA | $77,450 | $60,938 | $62,019 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- York, PA — $80,170
- Pittsburgh, PA — $77,980
- Harrisburg, PA — $78,060
- Philadelphia, PA — $79,880
- Allentown, PA — $76,810
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Lancaster, PA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $77,450 a year, or about $37.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,780 and $96,820.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Lancaster, PA?
On the median $77,450 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $60,938 a year ($5,078 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,378 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Lancaster, PA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 1.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,019 would in a typical U.S. city. Lancaster, PA ranks #54 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Lancaster, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lancaster, PA is $1,220 a month ($1,526 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
- Management Analyst — $96,210
- Project Management Specialist — $95,820
- Accountant and Auditor — $76,110
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $73,660
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $67,120
- Human Resources Specialist — $66,330
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $64,790
- Training and Development Specialist — $62,740