Economist Salary
Economists study production and distribution of resources, forecasting economic trends.
Economist Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level economists earn around $65,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $115,000. Senior-level economists can earn $185,000 or more.
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View Offers You Qualify For →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for economists varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $62,000, while the top 10% earn $198,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $113,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $198,000 |
Economist Salary by State
Economist salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $193,698, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $94,570.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $193,698 | Details → |
| #2 Massachusetts | $161,795 | Details → |
| #3 California | $157,237 | Details → |
| #4 New York | $152,680 | Details → |
| #5 Alaska | $141,286 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $140,146 | Details → |
| #7 Connecticut | $136,728 | Details → |
| #8 Maryland | $131,031 | Details → |
| #9 Washington | $131,031 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $125,334 | Details → |
| #11 Virginia | $124,195 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $121,916 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $121,916 | Details → |
| #14 Delaware | $120,776 | Details → |
| #15 Colorado | $119,637 | Details → |
| #16 Illinois | $115,079 | Details → |
| #17 Vermont | $115,079 | Details → |
| #18 Pennsylvania | $113,940 | Details → |
| #19 Minnesota | $112,801 | Details → |
| #20 Florida | $111,661 | Details → |
| #21 Maine | $111,661 | Details → |
| #22 Arizona | $110,522 | Details → |
| #23 Nevada | $110,522 | Details → |
| #24 Utah | $110,522 | Details → |
| #25 Georgia | $108,243 | Details → |
| #26 Montana | $108,243 | Details → |
| #27 North Carolina | $108,243 | Details → |
| #28 Idaho | $107,104 | Details → |
| #29 New Mexico | $105,964 | Details → |
| #30 Nebraska | $104,825 | Details → |
| #31 Texas | $104,825 | Details → |
| #32 Wisconsin | $104,825 | Details → |
| #33 Wyoming | $104,825 | Details → |
| #34 Louisiana | $103,685 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $102,546 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $102,546 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $102,546 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $102,546 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $101,407 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $101,407 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $101,407 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $100,267 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $100,267 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $99,128 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $99,128 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $99,128 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $97,988 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $95,710 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $95,710 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $94,570 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Economists who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $71,060 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Research economic issues
- ● Analyze data with statistical models
- ● Forecast economic conditions
- ● Prepare reports
- ● Advise on economic policy
Top Skills
Education Required
Master's degree
Job Outlook
Faster than average — projected 6% growth over the next decade
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