Business & Finance Louisville, KY Pop. 633,045

Economist Salary in Louisville, Kentucky

The median economist salary in Louisville, KY is $104,825 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 5.7% above the Kentucky state average.

City Median
$104,825
vs State Avg
+$5,697
vs National
$-9,115
Cost of Living
92%

Economist Pay in Louisville: What to Expect (2026)

Louisville offers a median economist salary of $104,825, which is $5,697 above the Kentucky state average of $99,128. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Louisville pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Louisville's cost of living is 92% 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 Louisville 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. As a major metro area with a population of 633,045, Louisville typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Economist Salary in Louisville by Experience

In Louisville, 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 92% 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 Louisville, KY

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

Economist Salary in Other Kentucky Cities

Lexington, KY
$105,964
Pop. 322,570
Covington, KY
$100,267
Pop. 40,961
Bowling Green, KY
$95,710
Pop. 74,735
Owensboro, KY
$93,431
Pop. 60,183

How to Become a Economist in Louisville

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Louisville

Browse open economist positions in Louisville, KY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Louisville

How much does a Economist make in Louisville, KY? ▼
The median economist salary in Louisville, Kentucky 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 Louisville? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,825, a economist in Louisville earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Louisville compare to the Kentucky state average for economist pay? ▼
Louisville's median economist salary of $104,825 is 5.7% above the Kentucky state average of $99,128. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Louisville, KY? ▼
Louisville has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $104,825 in Louisville has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Louisville? ▼
Most economist positions in Louisville 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.