Business & Finance Huntington, WV Pop. 46,842

Economist Salary in Huntington, West Virginia

The median economist salary in Huntington, WV is $93,431 per year, which is 18% below the national median and 2.4% below the West Virginia state average.

City Median
$93,431
vs State Avg
$-2,279
vs National
$-20,509
Cost of Living
82%

Economist Pay in Huntington: What to Expect (2026)

Huntington offers a median economist salary of $93,431, which is $2,279 below the West Virginia state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Huntington pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Huntington's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 82% of the national average. This means the $93,431 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Huntington an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Huntington spans from $50,840 at the 10th percentile to $162,360 at the 90th percentile — a $111,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,300, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $151,700. Huntington is a smaller market (pop. 46,842), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Huntington by Experience

In Huntington, an entry-level economist earns around $53,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $151,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,300
$-11,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$94,300
$-20,700 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$151,700
$-33,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Huntington, WV

Percentile Huntington
10th Percentile $50,840
25th Percentile $67,240
Median (50th) $93,431
75th Percentile $127,100
90th Percentile $162,360

Economist Salary in Other West Virginia Cities

Morgantown, WV
$102,546
Pop. 30,955
Charleston, WV
$100,267
Pop. 48,006
Parkersburg, WV
$91,152
Pop. 29,675
Wheeling, WV
$88,873
Pop. 26,711

How to Become a Economist in Huntington

Education

Most economist positions require a master's degree. Huntington 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 Huntington may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Huntington

Browse open economist positions in Huntington, WV:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Huntington

How much does a Economist make in Huntington, WV? ▼
The median economist salary in Huntington, West Virginia is $93,431 per year, which is 18% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $50,840 (10th percentile) to $162,360 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Huntington? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,431, a economist in Huntington earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Huntington compare to the West Virginia state average for economist pay? ▼
Huntington's median economist salary of $93,431 is 2.4% below the West Virginia state average of $95,710. The local cost of living index is 82% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Huntington, WV? ▼
Huntington has a cost of living index of 82% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $93,431 in Huntington has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Huntington? ▼
Most economist positions in Huntington 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.