Business & Finance Charleston, WV Pop. 48,006

Economist Salary in Charleston, West Virginia

The median economist salary in Charleston, WV is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 4.8% above the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$100,267
vs State Avg
+$4,557
vs National
$-13,673
Cost of Living
88%

Economist Pay in Charleston: What to Expect (2026)

Charleston offers a median economist salary of $100,267, which is $4,557 above the West Virginia state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Charleston pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Charleston's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $100,267 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Charleston an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Charleston spans from $54,560 at the 10th percentile to $174,240 at the 90th percentile — a $119,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. Charleston is a smaller market (pop. 48,006), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Charleston by Experience

In Charleston, an entry-level economist earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Charleston, WV

Percentile Charleston
10th Percentile $54,560
25th Percentile $72,160
Median (50th) $100,267
75th Percentile $136,400
90th Percentile $174,240

Economist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$102,546
Pop. 30,955
Huntington, WV
$93,431
Pop. 46,842
Parkersburg, WV
$91,152
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$88,873
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Economist in Charleston

Education

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

Find Economist Jobs in Charleston

Browse open economist positions in Charleston, WV:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Charleston

How much does a Economist make in Charleston, WV? ▼
The median economist salary in Charleston, West Virginia is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $54,560 (10th percentile) to $174,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Charleston? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,267, a economist in Charleston earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Charleston compare to the West Virginia state average for economist pay? ▼
Charleston's median economist salary of $100,267 is 4.8% above the West Virginia state average of $95,710. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Charleston, WV? ▼
Charleston has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $100,267 in Charleston has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Charleston? ▼
Most economist positions in Charleston 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.