Economists Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for economists in the United States was $124,720 ($59.96 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,360 | $32.38 |
| 25th | $89,330 | $42.95 |
| Median | $124,720 | $59.96 |
| 75th | $174,720 | $84.00 |
| 90th | $238,060 | $114.45 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-3011
- Total U.S. employment: 17,790
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
Across the United States, 17,790 economists are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this a mid-sized occupations in the national economy.
The mean wage of $142,130 sits 14.0% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Economists Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $129,960 | $62.48 | +4.2% | 40 |
| Alaska | $111,040 | $53.39 | -11.0% | 80 |
| Arizona | $79,610 | $38.28 | -36.2% | 340 |
| Arkansas | $91,560 | $44.02 | -26.6% | 50 |
| California | $119,410 | $57.41 | -4.3% | 860 |
| Colorado | $121,410 | $58.37 | -2.7% | 240 |
| Connecticut | $101,400 | $48.75 | -18.7% | 210 |
| Delaware | $159,120 | $76.50 | +27.6% | 70 |
| District of Columbia | $167,590 | $80.57 | +34.4% | 3,000 |
| Florida | $102,430 | $49.24 | -17.9% | 500 |
| Georgia | $122,570 | $58.93 | -1.7% | 260 |
| Hawaii | $83,050 | $39.93 | -33.4% | 50 |
| Idaho | $131,270 | $63.11 | +5.3% | 130 |
| Indiana | $80,750 | $38.82 | -35.3% | 80 |
| Iowa | $96,310 | $46.30 | -22.8% | 70 |
| Kansas | $138,790 | $66.72 | +11.3% | 80 |
| Kentucky | $71,400 | $34.33 | -42.8% | 100 |
| Louisiana | $73,050 | $35.12 | -41.4% | 140 |
| Maine | $91,480 | $43.98 | -26.7% | 70 |
| Maryland | $144,680 | $69.56 | +16.0% | 1,130 |
| Massachusetts | $106,380 | $51.14 | -14.7% | 1,030 |
| Michigan | $106,350 | $51.13 | -14.7% | 320 |
| Minnesota | $105,120 | $50.54 | -15.7% | 500 |
| Missouri | $117,010 | $56.26 | -6.2% | 280 |
| Montana | $89,340 | $42.95 | -28.4% | 90 |
| Nebraska | $75,880 | $36.48 | -39.2% | 90 |
| Nevada | $91,340 | $43.92 | -26.8% | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $86,130 | $41.41 | -30.9% | 50 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 | $80.55 | +34.3% | 280 |
| New Mexico | — | — | — | 120 |
| New York | $136,660 | $65.70 | +9.6% | 910 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 | $65.46 | +9.2% | 290 |
| Ohio | $120,000 | $57.69 | -3.8% | 140 |
| Oklahoma | $89,980 | $43.26 | -27.9% | 80 |
| Oregon | $122,120 | $58.71 | -2.1% | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $115,000 | $55.29 | -7.8% | 560 |
| Tennessee | $117,650 | $56.56 | -5.7% | 80 |
| Texas | $121,420 | $58.38 | -2.6% | 560 |
| Utah | — | — | — | 50 |
| Virginia | $137,590 | $66.15 | +10.3% | 950 |
| Washington | $109,300 | $52.55 | -12.4% | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $84,000 | $40.39 | -32.6% | 280 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,390/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for economists?
The median annual wage for economists is $124,720 ($59.96 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays economists the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many economists are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 17,790 economists employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do economists make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $59.96. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.