Economist Salary in 2026
Study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services through data analysis.
Median Salary
$108,000
$9,000/mo
Entry Level
$65,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$155,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
Economist Overview
Study the production and distribution of resources, goods, and services through data analysis.
Education
Master's/Doctorate
Experience
2-5 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
19K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$51.92/hr
Monthly Pay
$9,000
Economist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Economist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Economist Salary
$124,000
$10,333/month · $4,769/biweekly · $59.62/hr
Economist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Economist field.
Entry-level Economists earn around $65,000, while the top 10% earn $177,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Economists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,000 | +$19,000 |
| New York | $124,000 | +$16,000 |
| Massachusetts | $121,000 | +$13,000 |
| Virginia | $114,000 | +$6,000 |
| Illinois | $112,000 | +$4,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Economists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $135,000 | +$27,000 |
| New York | $127,000 | +$19,000 |
| Washington DC | $124,000 | +$16,000 |
| Boston | $121,000 | +$13,000 |
| Chicago | $113,000 | +$5,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Economist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Economist from entry level to expert.
$65,000
0-2 years
$110,000
3-7 years
$155,000
8-14 years
$200,000
15+ years
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Economist Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Economist Salary
How we calculate Economist salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $108,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Economist in the Finance sector.
- Entry-level ($65,000) and senior-level ($155,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 19K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Finance sector wages.
- Education requirement: Master's/Doctorate, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $108,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Economist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Economist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Economist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Econometrics, Statistical Modeling, Policy Analysis), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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