Economist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Economists Make?
Economists earn a median annual salary of $115,440 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $62,340 at the 10th percentile to $212,710 at the 90th percentile — a range of $150,370. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $162,610.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $62,340 |
| 25th percentile | $82,260 |
| Median (50th) | $115,440 |
| 75th percentile | $166,030 |
| 90th percentile | $212,710 |
Economist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $162,610 |
| Virginia | $148,010 |
| New York | $142,300 |
| Maryland | $137,610 |
| Georgia | $127,220 |
| Ohio | $117,750 |
| Washington | $116,390 |
| Missouri | $115,520 |
| Kansas | $115,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $113,300 |
| Illinois | $112,790 |
| North Carolina | $111,770 |
| Oregon | $111,660 |
| Colorado | $111,540 |
| Tennessee | $110,320 |
| Alaska | $108,960 |
| Minnesota | $107,470 |
| Texas | $106,200 |
| Alabama | $103,400 |
| Connecticut | $103,200 |
| Massachusetts | $103,170 |
| New Jersey | $102,350 |
| California | $100,510 |
| Arizona | $96,390 |
| Montana | $95,990 |
| Indiana | $95,830 |
| Michigan | $94,850 |
| Iowa | $92,750 |
| Florida | $89,250 |
| Louisiana | $89,010 |
| Nevada | $84,540 |
| New Mexico | $82,490 |
| Oklahoma | $82,330 |
| Hawaii | $81,740 |
| Maine | $80,670 |
| Idaho | $78,770 |
| Wisconsin | $76,940 |
| Nebraska | $66,690 |
| Kentucky | $65,470 |
| South Carolina | $51,980 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Economists
Economist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$62,340 – $82,260 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$115,440 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$166,030 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $212,710+ |
How to Earn More as an Economist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Economists in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $168,850 — $53,410 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($166,030) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Economist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Economistthis career | $115,440 |
| Investment Fund Manager | $161,700 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialist | $76,950 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $102,140 |
| Financial Quantitative Analyst | $80,190 |
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SOC: 19-3011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.