Cost Estimator Salary in St. Louis, MO
Cost Estimators in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $78,730 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,454 take-home, or $5,121 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,491
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,881
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,142
- Missouri income tax$2,763
- Take-home pay$61,454
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cost Estimator pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,990 | $21.63 | $37,152 | $3,096 |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 | $48,500 | $4,042 |
| Median (50th) | $78,730 | $37.85 | $61,454 | $5,121 |
| 75th percentile | $103,290 | $49.66 | $77,577 | $6,465 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,680 | $62.83 | $95,381 | $7,948 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,730 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $61,454 take-home pay has the buying power of $64,628 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
St. Louis, MO has 1.6× 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
St. Louis, MO ranks #32 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 |
| 32 | St. Louis, MO | $78,730 | $61,454 | $64,628 |
*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 Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $78,940
- Springfield, MO — $64,160
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in St. Louis, MO?
The median cost estimator salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $78,730 a year, or about $37.85 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,990 and $103,290.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $78,730 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $61,454 a year ($5,121 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,763 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $64,628 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #32 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Personal Financial Advisor — $103,690
- Labor Relations Specialist — $102,010
- Management Analyst — $101,100
- Project Management Specialist — $100,510
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $99,950
- Financial Risk Specialist — $97,920
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $95,470
- Logistician — $88,880
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $85,240
- Insurance Underwriter — $82,270
- Financial Examiner — $80,430
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,880