Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Nebraska make a median of $73,100 a year, or about $35.14 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.05), which stretches that salary to about $81,177 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,113/month, or 23.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Nebraska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Nebraska?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Nebraska
Cost estimators pay in Nebraska tracks closely to the national median, $73K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 7% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,113/month, 23.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.05 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Nebraska
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $56K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Nebraska
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $76K | +4% | 730 |
| Lincoln | $76K | +4% | 240 |
| Grand Island | $64K | -12% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track cost estimators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Nebraska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Nebraska?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 23.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,113/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Nebraska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,002/month. At HUD’s $1,113/month FMR, rent would take 37% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is cost estimator a high-paying job in Nebraska?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $73K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Nebraska compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Nebraska pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.05), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Nebraska?
The median is $73,100 a year, that works out to about $35 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,040, and experienced cost estimators can clear $105,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Nebraska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,723/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,113/month, which eats 23.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a cost estimators salary go in Nebraska?
Nebraska has a Regional Price Parity of 90.05 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cost estimators salary is worth about $81,177 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cost estimators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.