Cost Estimator Salary in Madison, WI
Cost Estimators in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $73,420 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,970 take-home, or $4,831 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,322
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,552
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,065
- Wisconsin income tax$2,511
- Take-home pay$57,970
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,710 | $26.78 | $45,273 | $3,773 |
| 25th percentile | $57,550 | $27.67 | $46,670 | $3,889 |
| Median (50th) | $73,420 | $35.30 | $57,970 | $4,831 |
| 75th percentile | $94,740 | $45.55 | $71,839 | $5,987 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,260 | $52.53 | $81,284 | $6,774 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,420 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $57,970 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,587 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 1.2× 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
Madison, WI ranks #73 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 |
| 73 | Madison, WI | $73,420 | $57,970 | $59,587 |
*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 Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $78,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Madison, WI?
The median cost estimator salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $73,420 a year, or about $35.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,550 and $94,740.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $73,420 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $57,970 a year ($4,831 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,511 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,587 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #73 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 29% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Personal Financial Advisor — $126,000
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $103,750
- Project Management Specialist — $98,990
- Management Analyst — $97,170
- Insurance Underwriter — $95,130
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $81,200
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,130
- Compliance Officer — $80,440
- Logistician — $79,910
- Loan Officer — $78,840
- Training and Development Specialist — $77,500
- Human Resources Specialist — $76,660