Business & Finance Athens, GA Pop. 127,064

Economist Salary in Athens, Georgia

The median economist salary in Athens, GA is $104,825 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 3.2% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$104,825
vs State Avg
$-3,418
vs National
$-9,115
Cost of Living
90%

Economist Pay in Athens: What to Expect (2026)

Athens offers a median economist salary of $104,825, which is $3,418 below the Georgia state average of $108,243. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Athens pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Athens's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for economists in Athens spans from $57,040 at the 10th percentile to $182,160 at the 90th percentile — a $125,120 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $59,800, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $170,200. With a population of 127,064, Athens is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Economist Salary in Athens by Experience

In Athens, an entry-level economist earns around $59,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $170,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$59,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,800
$-9,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$170,200
$-14,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Athens, GA

Percentile Athens
10th Percentile $57,040
25th Percentile $75,440
Median (50th) $104,825
75th Percentile $142,600
90th Percentile $182,160

Economist Salary in Other Georgia Cities

How to Become a Economist in Athens

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Athens and the surrounding Georgia 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 Athens may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Athens

Browse open economist positions in Athens, GA:

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Athens

How much does a Economist make in Athens, GA? ▼
The median economist salary in Athens, Georgia is $104,825 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $57,040 (10th percentile) to $182,160 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Athens? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,825, a economist in Athens earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Athens compare to the Georgia state average for economist pay? ▼
Athens's median economist salary of $104,825 is 3.2% below the Georgia state average of $108,243. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Athens, GA? ▼
Athens has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $104,825 in Athens has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Athens? ▼
Most economist positions in Athens 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.