Cost Estimators Salary
Cost Estimators in Pennsylvania make a median of $78,480 a year, or about $37.73 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $82,637 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 25.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Pennsylvania?
About cost estimators
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Cost estimators pay in Pennsylvania tracks closely to the national median, $78K locally vs. $79K nationwide, a 0% difference. Rent runs $1,351/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level cost estimators (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $127K or more, a $77K spread from bottom to top.
Cost Estimators salary by metro in Pennsylvania
16 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| York-Hanover | $80K | +2% | 460 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $80K | +2% | 4,190 |
| Reading | $78K | -0% | 270 |
| Chambersburg | $78K | -0% | 90 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $78K | -1% | 470 |
| Pittsburgh | $78K | -1% | 2,000 |
| Lancaster | $77K | -1% | 700 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $77K | -2% | 540 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $76K | -4% | 340 |
| Gettysburg | $75K | -5% | 70 |
| Lebanon | $74K | -6% | 90 |
| State College | $73K | -7% | 90 |
| Altoona | $73K | -7% | 100 |
| Erie | $69K | -12% | 160 |
| Williamsport | $66K | -16% | 70 |
| Johnstown | $64K | -19% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 16 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a cost estimator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 26.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for cost estimators in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new cost estimators typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,974/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 45% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $78K locally vs. $79K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for cost estimators?
Pennsylvania pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $79K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do cost estimators make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $78,480 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,570, and experienced cost estimators can clear $126,620. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,099/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 26.5% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $82,637 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.