Cost Estimator Salary in San Francisco, CA
Cost Estimators in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $101,630 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $73,784 take-home, or $6,149 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,529
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,301
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,474
- California income tax$5,222
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,321
- Take-home pay$73,784
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,910 | $28.32 | $47,164 | $3,930 |
| 25th percentile | $76,640 | $36.85 | $58,831 | $4,903 |
| Median (50th) | $101,630 | $48.86 | $73,784 | $6,149 |
| 75th percentile | $133,140 | $64.01 | $92,384 | $7,699 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,780 | $80.66 | $112,389 | $9,366 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $101,630 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $73,784 take-home pay has the buying power of $63,819 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 San Francisco, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
San Francisco, CA ranks #36 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 |
| 36 | San Francisco, CA | $101,630 | $73,784 | $63,819 |
*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
- Fresno, CA — $84,140
- Sacramento, CA — $83,190
- Stockton, CA — $81,380
- San Diego, CA — $87,170
- Riverside, CA — $76,900
- Los Angeles, CA — $82,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in San Francisco, CA?
The median cost estimator salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $101,630 a year, or about $48.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,640 and $133,140.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $101,630 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $73,784 a year ($6,149 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,543 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $63,819 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #36 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Francisco, CA
- Financial Risk Specialist — $167,440
- Personal Financial Advisor — $160,610
- Project Management Specialist — $135,040
- Financial Examiner — $131,820
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $130,520
- Management Analyst — $126,730
- Labor Relations Specialist — $124,400
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $123,250
- Credit Analyst — $122,590
- Compliance Officer — $118,890
- Budget Analyst — $117,360
- Accountant and Auditor — $110,730