Cost Estimator Salary in Richmond, VA
Cost Estimators in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $77,540 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $59,735 take-home, or $4,978 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,229
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,807
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,124
- Virginia income tax$3,644
- Take-home pay$59,735
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.75% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,520 | $23.33 | $39,190 | $3,266 |
| 25th percentile | $60,580 | $29.13 | $48,187 | $4,016 |
| Median (50th) | $77,540 | $37.28 | $59,735 | $4,978 |
| 75th percentile | $94,280 | $45.33 | $70,549 | $5,879 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,270 | $54.94 | $83,463 | $6,955 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $77,540 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $59,735 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,042 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 Richmond, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #62 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 |
| 62 | Richmond, VA | $77,540 | $59,735 | $61,042 |
*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 Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA — $80,850
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Richmond, VA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $77,540 a year, or about $37.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $60,580 and $94,280.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $77,540 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $59,735 a year ($4,978 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,644 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,042 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #62 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
- Personal Financial Advisor — $110,910
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $104,160
- Project Management Specialist — $102,170
- Financial Examiner — $100,540
- Management Analyst — $95,660
- Logistician — $92,500
- Accountant and Auditor — $84,220
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $82,370
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $81,660
- Insurance Underwriter — $81,400
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $81,070
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $80,990