Economist Salary in Morgantown, WV: $102,546 (2026)

Economist Pay in Morgantown: What to Expect (2026)

Morgantown offers a median economist salary of $102,546, which is $6,836 above the West Virginia state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, Morgantown pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Morgantown's cost of living is 90% 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 Morgantown spans from $55,800 at the 10th percentile to $178,200 at the 90th percentile — a $122,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $58,500, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $166,500. Morgantown is a smaller market (pop. 30,955), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Morgantown by Experience

In Morgantown, an entry-level economist earns around $58,500, while experienced professionals earn up to $166,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$58,500

$-6,500 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$103,500

$-11,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$166,500

$-18,500 vs national

Percentile	Morgantown	WV State	National
10th Percentile	$55,800	$52,080	$62,000
25th Percentile	$73,800	$68,880	$82,000
Median (50th)	$102,546	$95,710	$113,940
75th Percentile	$139,500	$130,200	$155,000
90th Percentile	$178,200	$166,320	$198,000

Percentile

Morgantown

10th Percentile

$55,800

25th Percentile

$73,800

Median (50th)

$102,546

75th Percentile

$139,500

90th Percentile

$178,200

How to Become a Economist in Morgantown

Education

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Morgantown

How much does a Economist make in Morgantown, WV? ▼

The median economist salary in Morgantown, West Virginia is $102,546 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $55,800 (10th percentile) to $178,200 (90th percentile).

How much does a Economist make per hour in Morgantown? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $102,546, a economist in Morgantown earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Morgantown compare to the West Virginia state average for economist pay? ▼

Morgantown's median economist salary of $102,546 is 7.1% above the West Virginia state average of $95,710. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Morgantown, WV? ▼

Morgantown has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a economist salary of $102,546 in Morgantown has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Morgantown? ▼

Most economist positions in Morgantown 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.

Economist Salary in Morgantown, West Virginia