Cost Estimator Salary in Washington, DC
Cost Estimators in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $89,330 a year — 13% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $67,049 take-home, or $5,587 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,823
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,538
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,295
- District of Columbia income tax$4,625
- Take-home pay$67,049
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,890 | $25.91 | $43,413 | $3,618 |
| 25th percentile | $69,570 | $33.45 | $54,697 | $4,558 |
| Median (50th) | $89,330 | $42.95 | $67,049 | $5,587 |
| 75th percentile | $120,580 | $57.97 | $86,377 | $7,198 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,310 | $68.42 | $99,407 | $8,284 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $89,330 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $67,049 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,578 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for cost estimators, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #59 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 |
| 59 | Washington, DC | $89,330 | $67,049 | $61,578 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 90 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Washington, DC?
The median cost estimator salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $89,330 a year, or about $42.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $69,570 and $120,580.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $89,330 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $67,049 a year ($5,587 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,625 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 13% above the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,578 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #59 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median cost estimator’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Financial Examiner — $157,560
- Project Management Specialist — $127,030
- Management Analyst — $126,830
- Financial Risk Specialist — $126,510
- Budget Analyst — $125,050
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $120,580
- Credit Analyst — $114,700
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $108,330
- Personal Financial Advisor — $106,230
- Labor Relations Specialist — $105,210
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $104,880
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $104,770