Economist salary
BLS occupation: Economists · Science · data for May 2025
Median salary $124,720 a year, US
Median hourly pay $59.96 an hour
Middle half earn $89,330–$174,720 25th to 75th percentile
Economists employed 17,790 +4.7% projected by 2035
How much does an economist make?
- The median economist salary in the US is $124,720 a year ($59.96 an hour): half of the 17,790 economists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $142,130.
- The middle half earn between $89,330 and $174,720. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $67,360 and the top 10% more than $238,060.
- That is 2.4 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays economists the most (median $167,590), followed by New Jersey ($167,550) and Delaware ($159,120). Kentucky pays the least ($71,400).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Delaware, where the median is worth $159,426 in typical US prices, then Kansas and New Jersey. The District of Columbia's higher pay is offset by its prices (109.9 vs a US average of 100).
- In 59 of the 60 metro areas with data, the median economist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of economists to grow 4.7% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,100 openings a year. The typical entry education is a master's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what economists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Economist salary range
Half of economists earn between $89,330 and $174,720 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $67,360
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $89,330
Median Yearly pay: $124,720
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $174,720
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $238,060
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $67,360 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $89,330 |
| Median | $124,720 |
| Top 25% earn over | $174,720 |
| Top 10% earn over | $238,060 |
Economist salary by state
The District of Columbia pays economists the most; Kentucky the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($124,720), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 median |
| New Jersey | $167,550 median |
| Delaware | $159,120 median |
| Maryland | $144,680 median |
| Kansas | $138,790 median |
| Virginia | $137,590 median |
| New York | $136,660 median |
| North Carolina | $136,150 median |
| Idaho | $131,270 median |
| Alabama | $129,960 median |
| Georgia | $122,570 median |
| Oregon | $122,120 median |
| Texas | $121,420 median |
| Colorado | $121,410 median |
| Ohio | $120,000 median |
| California | $119,410 median |
| Tennessee | $117,650 median |
| Missouri | $117,010 median |
| Pennsylvania | $115,000 median |
| Alaska | $111,040 median |
| Washington | $109,300 median |
| Massachusetts | $106,380 median |
| Michigan | $106,350 median |
| Minnesota | $105,120 median |
| Florida | $102,430 median |
| Connecticut | $101,400 median |
| Iowa | $96,310 median |
| Arkansas | $91,560 median |
| Maine | $91,480 median |
| Nevada | $91,340 median |
| Oklahoma | $89,980 median |
| Montana | $89,340 median |
| New Hampshire | $86,130 median |
| Wisconsin | $84,000 median |
| Hawaii | $83,050 median |
| Indiana | $80,750 median |
| Arizona | $79,610 median |
| Nebraska | $75,880 median |
| Louisiana | $73,050 median |
| Kentucky | $71,400 median |
Where economist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Economists' pay goes furthest in Delaware once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $159,426 |
| Kansas | $154,095 |
| New Jersey | $153,991 |
| District of Columbia | $152,492 |
| Alabama | $146,313 |
| North Carolina | $144,340 |
| Maryland | $137,844 |
| Idaho | $137,464 |
| Virginia | $136,088 |
| Ohio | $129,347 |
Economist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 | $80.57 | $98,350 | $299,110 | 3,000 | $152,492 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 | $80.55 | $83,990 | $195,190 | 280 | $153,991 |
| Delaware | $159,120 | $76.50 | $74,690 | $214,000 | 70 | $159,426 |
| Maryland | $144,680 | $69.56 | $93,710 | $195,190 | 1,130 | $137,844 |
| Kansas | $138,790 | $66.73 | $67,610 | $238,990 | 80 | $154,095 |
| Virginia | $137,590 | $66.15 | $74,600 | $232,410 | 950 | $136,088 |
| New York | $136,660 | $65.70 | $82,130 | $292,850 | 910 | $126,630 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 | $65.46 | $35,460 | $224,270 | 290 | $144,340 |
| Idaho | $131,270 | $63.11 | $55,180 | $173,560 | 130 | $137,464 |
| Alabama | $129,960 | $62.48 | $74,520 | $175,170 | 40 | $146,313 |
| Georgia | $122,570 | $58.93 | $78,190 | $187,330 | 260 | $127,289 |
| Oregon | $122,120 | $58.71 | $81,620 | $147,600 | 320 | $118,149 |
| Texas | $121,420 | $58.38 | $66,760 | $219,140 | 560 | $125,102 |
| Colorado | $121,410 | $58.37 | $73,450 | $193,480 | 240 | $117,814 |
| Ohio | $120,000 | $57.69 | $69,770 | $216,920 | 140 | $129,347 |
| California | $119,410 | $57.41 | $74,030 | $207,380 | 860 | $107,849 |
| Tennessee | $117,650 | $56.56 | $83,610 | $162,670 | 80 | $128,061 |
| Missouri | $117,010 | $56.25 | $73,260 | $229,510 | 280 | $128,842 |
| Pennsylvania | $115,000 | $55.29 | $64,500 | $164,650 | 560 | $117,862 |
| Alaska | $111,040 | $53.38 | $80,110 | $141,270 | 80 | $108,481 |
| Washington | $109,300 | $52.55 | $80,320 | $167,960 | 450 | $102,137 |
| Massachusetts | $106,380 | $51.14 | $74,080 | $222,610 | 1,030 | $100,589 |
| Michigan | $106,350 | $51.13 | $72,860 | $178,170 | 320 | $110,531 |
| Minnesota | $105,120 | $50.54 | $58,380 | $197,870 | 500 | $106,590 |
| Florida | $102,430 | $49.25 | $65,850 | $174,900 | 500 | $99,048 |
| Connecticut | $101,400 | $48.75 | $74,740 | $166,060 | 210 | $97,867 |
| Iowa | $96,310 | $46.30 | $59,980 | $144,750 | 70 | $109,740 |
| Arkansas | $91,560 | $44.02 | $55,130 | $136,990 | 50 | $105,318 |
| Maine | $91,480 | $43.98 | $69,140 | $132,950 | 70 | $94,261 |
| Nevada | $91,340 | $43.91 | $70,960 | $128,420 | 70 | $91,359 |
| Oklahoma | $89,980 | $43.26 | $67,490 | $171,650 | 80 | $102,433 |
| Montana | $89,340 | $42.95 | $69,850 | $116,210 | 90 | $94,395 |
| New Hampshire | $86,130 | $41.41 | $60,080 | $157,110 | 50 | $82,686 |
| Wisconsin | $84,000 | $40.38 | $53,340 | $132,270 | 280 | $89,271 |
| Hawaii | $83,050 | $39.93 | $66,370 | $120,270 | 50 | $75,534 |
| Indiana | $80,750 | $38.82 | $47,350 | $163,380 | 80 | $86,522 |
| Arizona | $79,610 | $38.27 | $75,000 | $138,990 | 340 | $79,075 |
| Nebraska | $75,880 | $36.48 | $45,000 | $135,300 | 90 | $84,215 |
| Louisiana | $73,050 | $35.12 | $60,680 | $136,970 | 140 | $82,817 |
| Kentucky | $71,400 | $34.33 | $59,810 | $124,380 | 100 | $79,193 |
BLS does not publish pay for economists in 11 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Economist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes economist pay: 61 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- New York, NY $176,090
- Washington, DC $156,750
- Baltimore, MD $152,730
- Durham, NC $152,130
- Los Angeles, CA $151,510
- San Francisco, CA $142,400
- Philadelphia, PA $139,530
- Indianapolis, IN $138,260
- Jacksonville, FL $136,990
- St. Louis, MO $132,630
Where the pay goes furthest
- New York, NY $156,437
- Durham, NC $155,916
- Baltimore, MD $146,171
- Indianapolis, IN $144,478
- Washington, DC $143,961
- St. Louis, MO $139,481
- Kansas City, MO $138,876
- Jacksonville, FL $137,701
- Philadelphia, PA $136,055
- Los Angeles, CA $133,411
All 61 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $176,090 | 850 | $156,437 | 24% |
| Washington, DC | $156,750 | 4,570 | $143,961 | 18% |
| Baltimore, MD | $152,730 | 110 | $146,171 | 15% |
| Durham, NC | $152,130 | 120 | $155,916 | 13% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $151,510 | 200 | $133,411 | 23% |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,400 | 200 | $123,170 | 29% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $139,530 | 220 | $136,055 | 16% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $138,260 | 30 | $144,478 | 13% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $136,990 | 30 | $137,701 | 15% |
| St. Louis, MO | $132,630 | 90 | $139,481 | 13% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $128,960 | 50 | $127,835 | 18% |
| Kansas City, MO | $128,520 | 150 | $138,876 | 14% |
| Seattle, WA | $126,420 | 200 | $113,756 | 21% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $125,160 | 130 | $121,143 | 16% |
| Salem, OR | $124,190 | 60 | $119,818 | 16% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $122,980 | 90 | $129,903 | 14% |
| San Diego, CA | $122,750 | 50 | $109,709 | 29% |
| Atlanta, GA | $122,570 | 220 | $122,499 | 18% |
| Dallas, TX | $122,170 | 210 | $118,508 | 16% |
| Portland, OR | $122,120 | – | $115,840 | 18% |
| Denver, CO | $121,410 | 150 | $114,774 | 19% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $121,410 | 40 | $120,056 | 20% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $120,740 | 40 | $126,602 | 15% |
| Miami, FL | $118,030 | 110 | $103,395 | 27% |
| Riverside, CA | $117,920 | 40 | $110,783 | 26% |
| Charlotte, NC | $117,600 | 80 | $120,804 | 18% |
| Nashville, TN | $116,990 | 40 | $121,437 | 18% |
| Richmond, VA | $112,330 | 120 | $114,789 | 18% |
| Anchorage, AK | $109,480 | 30 | $103,851 | 21% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $108,620 | 30 | $120,144 | 15% |
| Boston, MA | $108,140 | 820 | $99,884 | 33% |
| Boulder, CO | $107,870 | 40 | $102,536 | 24% |
| San Antonio, TX | $107,450 | 50 | $113,444 | 16% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $107,030 | – | $102,106 | 19% |
| Detroit, MI | $106,350 | 110 | $106,034 | 17% |
| Cleveland, OH | $105,340 | 50 | $112,156 | 16% |
| Tampa, FL | $103,690 | 80 | $102,775 | 23% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $103,600 | 50 | $105,778 | 22% |
| Olympia, WA | $103,000 | 160 | $99,354 | 24% |
| Orlando, FL | $102,430 | – | $100,998 | 23% |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,410 | 250 | $94,131 | 27% |
| Worcester, MA | $99,990 | 50 | $97,529 | 25% |
| Albany, NY | $99,200 | 90 | $99,632 | 20% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $96,870 | 30 | $101,386 | 18% |
| Hartford, CT | $96,720 | 160 | $94,135 | 25% |
| Des Moines, IA | $96,310 | 40 | $105,026 | 16% |
| Raleigh, NC | $96,030 | 40 | $97,833 | 21% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $94,030 | 40 | $93,802 | – |
| Las Vegas, NV | $93,830 | – | $93,629 | 22% |
| Helena, MT | $89,340 | 30 | $93,379 | 22% |
| Madison, WI | $88,770 | 100 | $91,245 | 24% |
| Lansing, MI | $88,320 | 40 | $92,977 | 18% |
| Austin, TX | $87,350 | 70 | $89,073 | 22% |
| Little Rock, AR | $85,000 | 40 | $95,117 | 17% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $80,010 | 170 | $81,105 | 22% |
| Tucson, AZ | $79,610 | – | $82,160 | 22% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $76,900 | 100 | $79,330 | 24% |
| New Orleans, LA | $75,510 | 40 | $81,547 | 25% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,580 | 50 | $82,155 | 22% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $70,430 | 50 | $74,990 | 25% |
| Lincoln, NE | $70,400 | 60 | $76,872 | 22% |
What the median economist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $124,720 |
| Month | $10,393 |
| Every two weeks | $4,797 |
| Week | $2,398 |
| Hour | $59.96 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an economist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Master's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +4.7% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,100 |
| Self-employed | 0.3% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree |
| Environmental scientist | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| Geologist | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree |
| Forensic science technician | $72,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| School psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree |
| Nuclear technician | $110,240 | Associate's degree |
Questions about economist pay
How much does an economist make an hour?
The median is $59.96 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $32.38 and the top 10% over $114.45.
How much does an economist make a month?
About $10,393 a month before taxes at the median salary of $124,720, or $4,797 every two weeks.
What state pays economists the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $167,590. New Jersey ($167,550), Delaware ($159,120), Maryland ($144,680) and Kansas ($138,790) follow.
Where do economists make the most after cost of living?
Delaware: its median of $159,120 is worth $159,426 at typical US prices. Kansas, New Jersey and the District of Columbia come next.
How much do entry-level economists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of economists earn under $67,360 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $89,330, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an economist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a master's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 19-3011 (Economists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.