Cost Estimator Salary in Seattle, WA
Cost Estimators in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $94,490 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,304 take-home, or $6,275 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$11,958
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,858
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,370
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$75,304
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,020 | $29.82 | $52,013 | $4,334 |
| 25th percentile | $75,410 | $36.25 | $61,881 | $5,157 |
| Median (50th) | $94,490 | $45.43 | $75,304 | $6,275 |
| 75th percentile | $120,700 | $58.03 | $93,742 | $7,812 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $152,220 | $73.18 | $115,308 | $9,609 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $94,490 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $75,304 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,760 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.4× 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
Seattle, WA ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $94,490 | $75,304 | $67,760 |
*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 Washington
- Spokane, WA — $73,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Seattle, WA?
The median cost estimator salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $94,490 a year, or about $45.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,410 and $120,700.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $94,490 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $75,304 a year ($6,275 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,760 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #9 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Financial Risk Specialist — $134,330
- Project Management Specialist — $130,380
- Management Analyst — $126,340
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $124,790
- Labor Relations Specialist — $119,200
- Personal Financial Advisor — $114,540
- Logistician — $108,920
- Budget Analyst — $104,090
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $102,170
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $101,920
- Insurance Underwriter — $100,130
- Accountant and Auditor — $99,370