Business & Finance Grand Island, NE Pop. 53,131

Economist Salary in Grand Island, Nebraska

The median economist salary in Grand Island, NE is $97,988 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 6.5% below the Nebraska state average.

City Median
$97,988
vs State Avg
$-6,837
vs National
$-15,952
Cost of Living
84%

Economist Pay in Grand Island: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Island offers a median economist salary of $97,988, which is $6,837 below the Nebraska state average of $104,825. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Grand Island pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Island's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 84% of the national average. This means the $97,988 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $116,652 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Island an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Grand Island spans from $53,320 at the 10th percentile to $170,280 at the 90th percentile — a $116,960 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,900, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,100. Grand Island is a smaller market (pop. 53,131), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Grand Island by Experience

In Grand Island, an entry-level economist earns around $55,900, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,900
$-9,100 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$98,900
$-16,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,100
$-25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Island, NE

Percentile Grand Island
10th Percentile $53,320
25th Percentile $70,520
Median (50th) $97,988
75th Percentile $133,300
90th Percentile $170,280

Economist Salary in Other Nebraska Cities

Omaha, NE
$108,243
Pop. 486,051
Bellevue, NE
$107,104
Pop. 64,176
Lincoln, NE
$104,825
Pop. 291,082
Kearney, NE
$100,267
Pop. 33,464

How to Become a Economist in Grand Island

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Grand Island

Browse open economist positions in Grand Island, NE:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Grand Island

How much does a Economist make in Grand Island, NE? ▼
The median economist salary in Grand Island, Nebraska is $97,988 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $53,320 (10th percentile) to $170,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Grand Island? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,988, a economist in Grand Island earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Island compare to the Nebraska state average for economist pay? ▼
Grand Island's median economist salary of $97,988 is 6.5% below the Nebraska state average of $104,825. The local cost of living index is 84% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Island, NE? ▼
Grand Island has a cost of living index of 84% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $97,988 in Grand Island has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Grand Island? ▼
Most economist positions in Grand Island 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.