Cost Estimators pay range in San Luis Obispo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,470 a year or less, while the top 10% make $141,100 or more. The middle half of cost estimators in San Luis Obispo earn between $64,990 and $123,130.
- $51K10th
- $65K25th
- $83KMedian
- $123K75th
- $141K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $92,950 | $7,746 | $44.69 |
| Median | $82,800 | $6,900 | $39.81 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $64,990 | $5,416 | $31.25 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $123,130 | $10,261 | $59.20 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cost Estimators pay in San Luis Obispo vs. California and the U.S.
Cost estimators in San Luis Obispo earn about the same as the California average ($94,780) and 9% more than the U.S. average ($85,390). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $78,740.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo | $92,950 | $82,800 | $51,470 | $141,100 | 260 |
| California | $94,780 | $85,460 | $51,750 | $150,790 | 26,020 |
| United States | $85,390 | $78,740 | $48,530 | $130,820 | 224,220 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cost Estimators salary after taxes in San Luis Obispo
On the average salary of $92,950, a single filer in San Luis Obispo takes home about $69,668 a year, or $5,806 a month and $2,680 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Luis Obispo a good place for cost estimators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Luis Obispo area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.6), so the average $92,950 buys what about $85,592 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in San Luis Obispo ($50,770). A typical home costs $909,699, or 9.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Cost Estimators salary in other California cities
San Luis Obispo ranks 11th of 24 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($109,520).
- San Francisco$109,520
- San Jose$108,990
- Santa Rosa$101,290
- Santa Cruz$97,200
- San Diego$95,670
- Sacramento$95,520
- Fresno$94,070
- Napa$93,830
- Vallejo$93,660
- San Luis Obispo$92,950
Highest-paying cities for cost estimators
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($109,520).
- San Francisco, CA$109,520
- San Jose, CA$108,990
- Boston, MA$108,390
- Amherst, MA$102,520
- Santa Rosa, CA$101,290
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Cost Estimators salary in San Luis Obispo: questions
How much do cost estimators make an hour in San Luis Obispo?
$44.69 an hour on average, and $39.81 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level cost estimators salary in San Luis Obispo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,470 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,990, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the cost estimators take-home pay in San Luis Obispo?
About $69,668 a year ($5,806 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $92,950. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do cost estimators earn more in San Luis Obispo than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% more than the U.S. average for this job ($85,390).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 13-1051; area San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA (42020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.45, this job is 1.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.