Cost Estimator Salary in Winston, NC
Cost Estimators in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median $71,220 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,600 take-home, or $4,717 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cost estimator salary in Winston, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,838
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,416
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,033
- North Carolina income tax$2,333
- Take-home pay$56,600
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.99% state
Cost Estimator pay by experience in Winston, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,300 | $17.45 | $30,407 | $2,534 |
| 25th percentile | $55,040 | $26.46 | $44,717 | $3,726 |
| Median (50th) | $71,220 | $34.24 | $56,600 | $4,717 |
| 75th percentile | $77,320 | $37.17 | $60,648 | $5,054 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,740 | $51.32 | $80,171 | $6,681 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $71,220 buys in Winston, NC
Prices in Winston, NC are 8.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cost estimator's $56,600 take-home pay has the buying power of $61,493 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Winston, NC 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
Winston, NC ranks #60 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 |
| 60 | Winston, NC | $71,220 | $56,600 | $61,493 |
*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 North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $79,230
- Charlotte, NC — $77,990
- Greensboro, NC — $73,410
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cost estimator make in Winston, NC?
The median cost estimator salary in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $71,220 a year, or about $34.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,040 and $77,320.
What is a cost estimator’s take-home pay in Winston, NC?
On the median $71,220 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $56,600 a year ($4,717 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,333 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Winston, NC a good place to work as a cost estimator?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $78,740. Local prices are 8.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $61,493 would in a typical U.S. city. Winston, NC ranks #60 of 90 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cost estimator afford rent in Winston, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Winston, NC is $1,031 a month ($1,164 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 Winston, NC
- Personal Financial Advisor — $100,560
- Management Analyst — $82,050
- Project Management Specialist — $79,560
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,950
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $78,190
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators — $75,310
- Compliance Officer — $74,980
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $73,320
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $71,930
- Human Resources Specialist — $68,540
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $63,560
- Training and Development Specialist — $59,860