Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Study economic and statistical data in area of specialization, such as finance, labor, or agriculture.
Compile, analyze, and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends, applying mathematical models and statistical techniques.
Study the socioeconomic impacts of new public policies, such as proposed legislation, taxes, services, and regulations.
Explain economic impact of policies to the public.
Review documents written by others.
Top skills:Reading ComprehensionMathematicsCritical ThinkingWritingSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Economist pay by experience level
Entry level$69,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$92,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$129,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$181,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$246,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+1.2%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
900
projected openings per year
Growing slower than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Economist salary by industry
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
8,610 workers
$126,000
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
5,810 workers
$167,000
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
4,540 workers
$155,000
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
4,030 workers
$175,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
2,500 workers
$85,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
1,580 workers
$107,000
Scientific Research and Development Services
1,160 workers
$156,000
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
620 workers
$223,000
Monetary Authorities-Central Bank
620 workers
$223,000
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
500 workers
$143,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Economist make?
The average base salary for a Economist in the United States is $147,000 per year, or about $70.67 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $92,500 and $181,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Life, Physical, and Social Science roles?
The Life, Physical, and Social Science job family averages $100,500 across 66 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
