Business & Finance Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Economist Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median economist salary in Cleveland, OH is $97,988 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$97,988
vs State Avg
$-4,558
vs National
$-15,952
Cost of Living
86%

Economist Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median economist salary of $97,988, which is $4,558 below the Ohio state average of $102,546. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $97,988 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Cleveland 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. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Economist Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, 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 86% 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 Cleveland, OH

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

Economist Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$108,243
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$102,546
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$95,710
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$93,431
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Economist in Cleveland

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open economist positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Economist make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median economist salary in Cleveland, Ohio 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 Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,988, a economist in Cleveland earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for economist pay? ▼
Cleveland's median economist salary of $97,988 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $102,546. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $97,988 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Cleveland? ▼
Most economist positions in Cleveland 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.