Business & Finance Fayetteville, AR Pop. 93,949

Economist Salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas

The median economist salary in Fayetteville, AR is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.8% above the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$100,267
vs State Avg
+$4,557
vs National
$-13,673
Cost of Living
88%

Economist Pay in Fayetteville: What to Expect (2026)

Fayetteville offers a median economist salary of $100,267, which is $4,557 above the Arkansas state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Fayetteville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fayetteville's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $100,267 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Fayetteville an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Fayetteville spans from $54,560 at the 10th percentile to $174,240 at the 90th percentile — a $119,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. Fayetteville is a smaller market (pop. 93,949), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Fayetteville by Experience

In Fayetteville, an entry-level economist earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fayetteville, AR

Percentile Fayetteville
10th Percentile $54,560
25th Percentile $72,160
Median (50th) $100,267
75th Percentile $136,400
90th Percentile $174,240

Economist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Little Rock, AR
$99,128
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$95,710
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$93,431
Pop. 78,576
Fort Smith, AR
$91,152
Pop. 89,142

How to Become a Economist in Fayetteville

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Fayetteville and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fayetteville may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Fayetteville

Browse open economist positions in Fayetteville, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Fayetteville

How much does a Economist make in Fayetteville, AR? ▼
The median economist salary in Fayetteville, Arkansas is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $54,560 (10th percentile) to $174,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Fayetteville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,267, a economist in Fayetteville earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fayetteville compare to the Arkansas state average for economist pay? ▼
Fayetteville's median economist salary of $100,267 is 4.8% above the Arkansas state average of $95,710. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fayetteville, AR? ▼
Fayetteville has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $100,267 in Fayetteville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Fayetteville? ▼
Most economist positions in Fayetteville require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.