Business & Finance Jonesboro, AR Pop. 78,576

Economist Salary in Jonesboro, Arkansas

The median economist salary in Jonesboro, AR is $93,431 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 2.4% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$93,431
vs State Avg
$-2,279
vs National
$-20,509
Cost of Living
82%

Economist Pay in Jonesboro: What to Expect (2026)

Jonesboro offers a median economist salary of $93,431, which is $2,279 below the Arkansas state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Jonesboro pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Jonesboro's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $93,431 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Jonesboro an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Jonesboro spans from $50,840 at the 10th percentile to $162,360 at the 90th percentile — a $111,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,300, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,700. Jonesboro is a smaller market (pop. 78,576), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Jonesboro by Experience

In Jonesboro, an entry-level economist earns around $53,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,300
$-11,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,300
$-20,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,700
$-33,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Jonesboro, AR

Percentile Jonesboro
10th Percentile $50,840
25th Percentile $67,240
Median (50th) $93,431
75th Percentile $127,100
90th Percentile $162,360

Economist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$100,267
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$99,128
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$95,710
Pop. 80,433
Fort Smith, AR
$91,152
Pop. 89,142

How to Become a Economist in Jonesboro

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Jonesboro

Browse open economist positions in Jonesboro, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Jonesboro

How much does a Economist make in Jonesboro, AR? ▼
The median economist salary in Jonesboro, Arkansas is $93,431 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $50,840 (10th percentile) to $162,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Jonesboro? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,431, a economist in Jonesboro earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Jonesboro compare to the Arkansas state average for economist pay? ▼
Jonesboro's median economist salary of $93,431 is 2.4% below the Arkansas state average of $95,710. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Jonesboro, AR? ▼
Jonesboro has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $93,431 in Jonesboro has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Jonesboro? ▼
Most economist positions in Jonesboro 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.