Salary data is based on the Rapid City, SD metropolitan area and applied to Aberdeen using local cost-of-living adjustments.

Cost Estimators Salaries in Aberdeen, SD

Average Base Pay

$71,759/yr

6% below national average

Monthly

$5,980

Hourly

$34

Cost Index

Cost Estimators in Aberdeen, SD earn an average of $71,759 per year, with most salaries falling between $57,407 and $86,111 depending on experience, employer, and specialization. At 6% below the national average, Aberdeen offers a more modest rate for this role, in part reflecting a local cost of living index of 79. For professionals evaluating a move or negotiating an offer, the headline salary is only part of the picture—what matters most is how far that income actually goes once taxes, rent, and daily expenses are factored in. The sections below break that down in full for Aberdeen.

Salary Range

The chart below shows the full compensation spectrum for this role, from entry-level to senior positions. The highlighted center bars represent the 25th–75th percentile band where most professionals are paid.

$54K
Low

$72K
Median

$90K
High

25th percentile: $61K75th percentile: $83K

About Cost Estimators

Financial Analysts evaluate economic trends, company financials, and investment opportunities to guide business decisions or investment strategies. They build detailed financial models to forecast revenue, expenses, and cash flows; analyze historical performance; and provide recommendations to management, investors, or clients. In corporate finance, financial analysts support budgeting, capital allocation decisions, and strategic planning by developing scenario models and sensitivity analyses. In investment banking, they analyze potential mergers and acquisitions, value companies using discounted cash flow and comparable company methodologies, and produce pitch books for client presentations. Buy-side analysts at asset management firms research equities, bonds, or alternative investments to identify opportunities for portfolio inclusion. The role is data-intensive, requiring proficiency in Excel financial modeling, knowledge of accounting principles, and the ability to interpret financial statements accurately. Successful financial analysts combine technical rigor with the ability to synthesize large amounts of information into clear, actionable insights for decision-makers. The CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation is highly regarded and often pursued by investment-track analysts.

What Cost Estimators Do

Build financial models to forecast revenue, expenses, cash flows, and profitability
Analyze financial statements and assess company performance relative to peers
Prepare variance analyses comparing actual results to budget and prior periods
Develop valuation analyses using DCF, comparable company, and precedent transaction methods
Support capital budgeting and investment decision-making processes
Research industry trends and competitive dynamics
Prepare presentations and reports for management and stakeholders
Track financial metrics and update models as new data becomes available

Key Skills & Qualifications

Advanced Excel financial modeling including DCF, LBO, and M&A models
Financial statement analysis (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow)
Valuation methodologies and corporate finance theory
Bloomberg or FactSet for market data
PowerPoint for executive presentations and pitch books
Accounting fundamentals and GAAP knowledge
Strong quantitative and analytical reasoning
CFA designation (valued in investment roles)

Career Path

Financial Analyst (Associate level)
Senior Financial Analyst
Finance Manager
Director of Finance
VP of Finance / CFO

Cost Estimators Market in Aberdeen, SD

Salary Competitiveness

Aberdeen currently pays 6% below the national median for Cost Estimators. This gap can reflect a lower regional cost base, thinner employer density, or a surplus of qualified candidates relative to open roles—factors worth factoring into any offer negotiation or relocation calculation.

Cost of Living Impact

Aberdeen's cost of living runs below the national average, which works in favor of this salary. Essential monthly expenses account for approximately 47% of take-home pay—a ratio that leaves meaningful room for savings, debt reduction, and discretionary spending compared with higher-cost metros.

Effective Purchasing Power

After adjusting for local taxes and cost of living, a Cost Estimators earning $71,759 in Aberdeen reaches a strong purchasing-power position. The effective standard of living this income supports is materially higher than the gross number alone implies—a useful data point for professionals comparing offers across metro areas.

vs. National Avg

-6%

Cost Pressure

47%

Purchasing Power

Strong

Take-Home Pay Calculator

Enter any gross salary to see how federal and state taxes affect your actual take-home pay, broken down by year, month, and week. Results use an estimated effective tax rate of 27% based on this location and income level.

Annual Salary

Take-home (73%)Taxes (27%)

Annual Net

$52,384

Monthly

$4,365

Weekly

$1,007

Eff. Tax Rate

27%

A gross salary of $71,759 for a Cost Estimators in Aberdeen translates to roughly $4,365 in monthly take-home pay after estimated federal and state taxes. Set against monthly living costs of $2,046—covering housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare—that leaves approximately $2,319 per month in disposable income. That margin, not the gross number, is what determines whether you can comfortably cover rent, build savings, and afford discretionary spending in Aberdeen's current market.

How far does this salary go in Aberdeen?

Cost of Living in Aberdeen

Estimated monthly expenses for a single person in Aberdeen, benchmarked against US regional price indices for housing, food, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

Cost Index

Below Avg — US average is 100. Based on a single person (1-bed apartment).

🏠Housing / Rent$1,177/mo

🍔Food & Groceries$392/mo

🚗Transportation$106/mo

💡Utilities$138/mo

🏥Healthcare$233/mo

Monthly$2,046

Annual$24,552

Disposable Income$2,319

Financial Reality Check

This section compares estimated monthly take-home pay against typical living costs in Aberdeen to show your real disposable income—the amount remaining after essential bills are paid each month.

Monthly Take-Home

$4,365

Living Costs

$2,046

Disposable

$2,319

Cost Index

Lifestyle

Comfortable

With a monthly take-home of $4,365, your estimated living costs in Aberdeen are $2,046 ($24,552/yr). This leaves $2,319 per month in disposable income, indicating a comfortable standard of living. Aberdeen's cost of living is 21% below the national average.

Overall, a Cost Estimators earning $71,759 in Aberdeen falls into a comfortable lifestyle tier and has meaningful room to save, invest, and absorb unexpected expenses without financial stress. With a cost index of 79, Aberdeen is 21% more affordable than the national average, which extends your purchasing power. Regardless of tier, prioritizing retirement contributions, an emergency fund of three to six months' expenses, and incremental debt reduction will yield the greatest long-term financial stability—especially as living costs in Aberdeen continue to evolve.