Business & Finance Fort Wayne, IN Pop. 263,886

Economist Salary in Fort Wayne, Indiana

The median economist salary in Fort Wayne, IN is $96,849 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 5.6% below the Indiana state average.

City Median
$96,849
vs State Avg
$-5,697
vs National
$-17,091
Cost of Living
85%

Economist Pay in Fort Wayne: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Wayne offers a median economist salary of $96,849, which is $5,697 below the Indiana state average of $102,546. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Fort Wayne pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Wayne's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 85% of the national average. This means the $96,849 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Wayne an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Fort Wayne spans from $52,700 at the 10th percentile to $168,300 at the 90th percentile — a $115,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,250, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $157,250. With a population of 263,886, Fort Wayne is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Economist Salary in Fort Wayne by Experience

In Fort Wayne, an entry-level economist earns around $55,250, while experienced professionals earn up to $157,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,250
$-9,750 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,750
$-17,250 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$157,250
$-27,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Wayne, IN

Percentile Fort Wayne
10th Percentile $52,700
25th Percentile $69,700
Median (50th) $96,849
75th Percentile $131,750
90th Percentile $168,300

Economist Salary in Other Indiana Cities

Carmel, IN
$119,637
Pop. 99,757
Indianapolis, IN
$105,964
Pop. 887,642
Evansville, IN
$95,710
Pop. 117,429
South Bend, IN
$94,570
Pop. 103,453

How to Become a Economist in Fort Wayne

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Fort Wayne

Browse open economist positions in Fort Wayne, IN:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Fort Wayne

How much does a Economist make in Fort Wayne, IN? ▼
The median economist salary in Fort Wayne, Indiana is $96,849 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $52,700 (10th percentile) to $168,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Fort Wayne? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $96,849, a economist in Fort Wayne earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Wayne compare to the Indiana state average for economist pay? ▼
Fort Wayne's median economist salary of $96,849 is 5.6% below the Indiana state average of $102,546. The local cost of living index is 85% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Wayne, IN? ▼
Fort Wayne has a cost of living index of 85% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $96,849 in Fort Wayne has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Fort Wayne? ▼
Most economist positions in Fort Wayne 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.