Cost Estimator Salary in San Diego, CA
Cost Estimators in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median $87,170 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,144 take-home, or $5,429 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in San Diego, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,347
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,405
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,264
- California income tax$3,877
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,133
- Take-home pay$65,144
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in San Diego, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,610 | $26.74 | $44,754 | $3,729 |
| 25th percentile | $66,490 | $31.97 | $52,633 | $4,386 |
| Median (50th) | $87,170 | $41.91 | $65,144 | $5,429 |
| 75th percentile | $118,730 | $57.08 | $84,001 | $7,000 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $151,140 | $72.66 | $102,779 | $8,565 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $87,170 buys in San Diego, CA
Prices in San Diego, CA are 11.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.79× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $65,144 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,223 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
San Diego, CA has 1.2× 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
San Diego, CA ranks #80 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 |
| 80 | San Diego, CA | $87,170 | $65,144 | $58,223 |
*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
- Riverside, CA — $76,900
- Los Angeles, CA — $82,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in San Diego, CA?
The median cost estimator salary in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $87,170 a year, or about $41.91 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,490 and $118,730.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in San Diego, CA?
On the median $87,170 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $65,144 a year ($5,429 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,010 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Diego, CA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 11.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,223 would in a typical U.S. city. San Diego, CA ranks #80 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in San Diego, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Diego, CA is $2,459 a month ($3,001 for two bedrooms) — 45% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Diego, CA
- Personal Financial Advisor — $130,330
- Project Management Specialist — $117,460
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $106,040
- Compliance Officer — $101,230
- Management Analyst — $101,190
- Logistician — $100,130
- Property Appraiser and Assessor — $99,850
- Insurance Underwriter — $98,210
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $96,580
- Accountant and Auditor — $96,340
- Credit Analyst — $95,310
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists — $90,070