Cost Estimator Salary in Riverside, CA
Cost Estimators in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median $76,900 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,990 take-home, or $4,916 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Riverside, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,088
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,768
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,115
- California income tax$2,940
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,000
- Take-home pay$58,990
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.00% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Riverside, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,750 | $23.92 | $40,473 | $3,373 |
| 25th percentile | $58,740 | $28.24 | $47,040 | $3,920 |
| Median (50th) | $76,900 | $36.97 | $58,990 | $4,916 |
| 75th percentile | $100,030 | $48.09 | $72,828 | $6,069 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,940 | $61.99 | $89,958 | $7,497 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $76,900 buys in Riverside, CA
Prices in Riverside, CA are 6.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.29× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $58,990 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,419 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Riverside, CA 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
Riverside, CA ranks #87 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 |
| 87 | Riverside, CA | $76,900 | $58,990 | $55,419 |
*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 California
- Santa Rosa, CA — $95,650
- San Jose, CA — $97,580
- San Francisco, CA — $101,630
- Fresno, CA — $84,140
- Sacramento, CA — $83,190
- Stockton, CA — $81,380
- San Diego, CA — $87,170
- Los Angeles, CA — $82,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Riverside, CA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $76,900 a year, or about $36.97 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,740 and $100,030.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Riverside, CA?
On the median $76,900 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $58,990 a year ($4,916 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,940 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 6.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,419 would in a typical U.S. city. Riverside, CA ranks #87 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Riverside, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Riverside, CA is $1,777 a month ($2,201 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Riverside, CA
- Labor Relations Specialist — $102,230
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,150
- Project Management Specialist — $100,770
- Personal Financial Advisor — $96,100
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $91,940
- Management Analyst — $87,910
- Property Appraiser and Assessor — $86,260
- Accountant and Auditor — $83,920
- Compliance Officer — $79,920
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $78,920
- Loan Officer — $78,710
- Logistician — $77,370