Cost Estimator Salary in Providence, RI
Cost Estimators in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $87,720 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,868 take-home, or $5,656 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,468
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,272
- Rhode Island income tax$2,673
- Take-home pay$67,868
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,330 | $28.04 | $47,478 | $3,956 |
| 25th percentile | $68,550 | $32.96 | $55,101 | $4,592 |
| Median (50th) | $87,720 | $42.17 | $67,868 | $5,656 |
| 75th percentile | $106,080 | $51.00 | $80,020 | $6,668 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,750 | $62.86 | $96,025 | $8,002 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $87,720 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $67,868 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,686 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 Providence, RI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #12 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 |
| 12 | Providence, RI | $87,720 | $67,868 | $66,686 |
*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 Providence, RI?
The median cost estimator salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $87,720 a year, or about $42.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,550 and $106,080.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $87,720 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $67,868 a year ($5,656 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,673 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,686 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #12 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 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 Providence, RI
- Project Management Specialist — $104,510
- Financial Risk Specialist — $103,470
- Management Analyst — $100,360
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $100,290
- Accountant and Auditor — $95,020
- Labor Relations Specialist — $93,140
- Compliance Officer — $87,620
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $86,360
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $84,990
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $84,590
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $83,960
- Personal Financial Advisor — $83,720