Business & Finance Columbus, GA Pop. 206,922

Economist Salary in Columbus, Georgia

The median economist salary in Columbus, GA is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Georgia state average.

City Median
$100,267
vs State Avg
$-7,976
vs National
$-13,673
Cost of Living
86%

Economist Pay in Columbus: What to Expect (2026)

Columbus offers a median economist salary of $100,267, which is $7,976 below the Georgia state average of $108,243. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Columbus pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Columbus's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $100,267 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $116,590 in an average-cost city. This makes Columbus an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Columbus 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. With a population of 206,922, Columbus is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Economist Salary in Columbus by Experience

In Columbus, 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 86% 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 Columbus, GA

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

Economist Salary in Other Georgia Cities

Atlanta, GA
$118,498
Pop. 498,715
Savannah, GA
$107,104
Pop. 147,780
Athens, GA
$104,825
Pop. 127,064
Augusta, GA
$102,546
Pop. 202,081

How to Become a Economist in Columbus

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Columbus

Browse open economist positions in Columbus, GA:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Columbus

How much does a Economist make in Columbus, GA? ▼
The median economist salary in Columbus, Georgia 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 Columbus? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,267, a economist in Columbus earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbus compare to the Georgia state average for economist pay? ▼
Columbus's median economist salary of $100,267 is 7.4% below the Georgia state average of $108,243. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbus, GA? ▼
Columbus has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $100,267 in Columbus has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Columbus? ▼
Most economist positions in Columbus 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.