Business & Finance Virginia Beach, VA Pop. 449,974

Economist Salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia

The median economist salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $121,916 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median and 1.8% below the Virginia state average.

City Median
$121,916
vs State Avg
$-2,279
vs National
+$7,976
Cost of Living
102%

Economist Pay in Virginia Beach: What to Expect (2026)

Virginia Beach offers a median economist salary of $121,916, which is $2,279 below the Virginia state average of $124,195. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Virginia Beach pays above average for this role.

Virginia Beach's cost of living is 102% 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 Virginia Beach spans from $66,340 at the 10th percentile to $211,860 at the 90th percentile — a $145,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $69,550, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $197,950. With a population of 449,974, Virginia Beach is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Economist Salary in Virginia Beach by Experience

In Virginia Beach, an entry-level economist earns around $69,550, while experienced professionals earn up to $197,950 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$69,550
+$4,550 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$123,050
+$8,050 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$197,950
+$12,950 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Virginia Beach, VA

Percentile Virginia Beach
10th Percentile $66,340
25th Percentile $87,740
Median (50th) $121,916
75th Percentile $165,850
90th Percentile $211,860

Economist Salary in Other Virginia Cities

Arlington, VA
$156,098
Pop. 238,643
Richmond, VA
$119,637
Pop. 226,610
Chesapeake, VA
$117,358
Pop. 249,422
Norfolk, VA
$115,079
Pop. 238,005

How to Become a Economist in Virginia Beach

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Virginia Beach

Browse open economist positions in Virginia Beach, VA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Virginia Beach

How much does a Economist make in Virginia Beach, VA? ▼
The median economist salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia is $121,916 per year, which is 7.0% above the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $66,340 (10th percentile) to $211,860 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Virginia Beach? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $121,916, a economist in Virginia Beach earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Virginia Beach compare to the Virginia state average for economist pay? ▼
Virginia Beach's median economist salary of $121,916 is 1.8% below the Virginia state average of $124,195. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Virginia Beach, VA? ▼
Virginia Beach has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $121,916 in Virginia Beach has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Virginia Beach? ▼
Most economist positions in Virginia Beach 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.