Cost Estimator Salary in Raleigh, NC
Cost Estimators in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $79,230 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,916 take-home, or $5,160 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,601
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,912
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,149
- North Carolina income tax$2,653
- Take-home pay$61,916
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,350 | $18.44 | $31,973 | $2,664 |
| 25th percentile | $60,220 | $28.95 | $48,673 | $4,056 |
| Median (50th) | $79,230 | $38.09 | $61,916 | $5,160 |
| 75th percentile | $100,780 | $48.45 | $76,216 | $6,351 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,400 | $63.17 | $96,344 | $8,029 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,230 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $61,916 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,078 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.3× 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
Raleigh, NC ranks #42 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 |
| 42 | Raleigh, NC | $79,230 | $61,916 | $63,078 |
*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 North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $77,990
- Greensboro, NC — $73,410
- Winston, NC — $71,220
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Raleigh, NC?
The median cost estimator salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $79,230 a year, or about $38.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,220 and $100,780.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $79,230 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $61,916 a year ($5,160 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,653 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,078 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #42 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Raleigh, NC
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- Project Management Specialist — $102,280
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $99,200
- Management Analyst — $96,820
- Accountant and Auditor — $81,950
- Budget Analyst — $80,590
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $80,390
- Compliance Officer — $79,570
- Insurance Underwriter — $79,210
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $78,980
- Logistician — $78,420
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $77,800