Cost Estimator Salary in Tucson, AZ
Cost Estimators in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $73,590 a year — 7% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,970 take-home, or $4,914 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,360
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,563
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,067
- Arizona income tax$1,631
- Take-home pay$58,970
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.50% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,610 | $22.41 | $38,675 | $3,223 |
| 25th percentile | $55,550 | $26.71 | $45,634 | $3,803 |
| Median (50th) | $73,590 | $35.38 | $58,970 | $4,914 |
| 75th percentile | $95,580 | $45.95 | $73,890 | $6,157 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,640 | $58.96 | $92,233 | $7,686 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $73,590 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $58,970 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,859 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 Tucson, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.12).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #67 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 |
| 67 | Tucson, AZ | $73,590 | $58,970 | $60,859 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $77,590
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Tucson, AZ?
The median cost estimator salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $73,590 a year, or about $35.38 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,550 and $95,580.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $73,590 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $58,970 a year ($4,914 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,631 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 7% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,859 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #67 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Project Management Specialist — $91,500
- Management Analyst — $84,900
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $84,360
- Logistician — $77,410
- Accountant and Auditor — $76,320
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $72,320
- Compliance Officer — $70,550
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $66,170
- Human Resources Specialist — $63,950
- Training and Development Specialist — $59,890
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $59,540
- Personal Financial Advisor — $58,450