Cost Estimator Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Cost Estimators in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $78,090 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,008 take-home, or $5,084 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,350
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,842
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,132
- Wisconsin income tax$2,758
- Take-home pay$61,008
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,950 | $25.94 | $43,936 | $3,661 |
| 25th percentile | $63,420 | $30.49 | $51,129 | $4,261 |
| Median (50th) | $78,090 | $37.54 | $61,008 | $5,084 |
| 75th percentile | $97,310 | $46.78 | $73,511 | $6,126 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,700 | $57.07 | $87,425 | $7,285 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,090 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $61,008 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,936 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 Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.19).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #44 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 |
| 44 | Milwaukee, WI | $78,090 | $61,008 | $62,936 |
*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
- Madison, WI — $73,420
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median cost estimator salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $78,090 a year, or about $37.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,420 and $97,310.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $78,090 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $61,008 a year ($5,084 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,758 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,936 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #44 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Personal Financial Advisor — $125,810
- Insurance Underwriter — $106,570
- Labor Relations Specialist — $105,250
- Management Analyst — $102,900
- Project Management Specialist — $100,350
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $96,700
- Loan Officer — $83,660
- Compliance Officer — $81,540
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,290
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $79,770
- Logistician — $78,560
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $77,860