Cost Estimator Salary in Rochester, NY
Cost Estimators in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $78,890 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,666 take-home, or $5,056 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,526
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,891
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,144
- New York income tax$3,663
- Take-home pay$60,666
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,750 | $24.40 | $40,814 | $3,401 |
| 25th percentile | $61,660 | $29.64 | $48,991 | $4,083 |
| Median (50th) | $78,890 | $37.93 | $60,666 | $5,056 |
| 75th percentile | $103,020 | $49.53 | $76,267 | $6,356 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,240 | $60.69 | $91,143 | $7,595 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,890 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $60,666 take-home pay has the buying power of $62,520 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #49 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 |
| 49 | Rochester, NY | $78,890 | $60,666 | $62,520 |
*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 New York
- Albany, NY — $81,290
- Buffalo, NY — $75,300
- New York, NY — $82,380
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Rochester, NY?
The median cost estimator salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $78,890 a year, or about $37.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,660 and $103,020.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $78,890 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $60,666 a year ($5,056 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,663 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $62,520 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #49 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 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 Rochester, NY
- Project Management Specialist — $103,520
- Personal Financial Advisor — $101,150
- Management Analyst — $97,070
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $94,940
- Loan Officer — $82,280
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $82,080
- Accountant and Auditor — $80,890
- Compliance Officer — $80,320
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $77,170
- Human Resources Specialist — $76,590
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $75,550
- Fundraiser — $75,000