Economists Salary by State
The national median pay for economists is $124,720 a year. By state, it ranges from $71,400 in Kentucky to $167,590 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $67,360
- 25th percentile
- $89,330
- Median
- $124,720
- 75th percentile
- $174,720
- Top 10%
- $238,060
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 17,790 jobs.
Median pay in 39 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $167,590 | +34% | $98,350 | $299,110 | 3,000 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $167,550 | +34% | $83,990 | $195,190 | 280 |
| 3 | Delaware | $159,120 | +28% | $74,690 | $214,000 | 70 |
| 4 | Maryland | $144,680 | +16% | $93,710 | $195,190 | 1,130 |
| 5 | Kansas | $138,790 | +11% | $67,610 | $238,990 | 80 |
| 6 | Virginia | $137,590 | +10% | $74,600 | $232,410 | 950 |
| 7 | New York | $136,660 | +10% | $82,130 | $292,850 | 910 |
| 8 | North Carolina | $136,150 | +9% | $35,460 | $224,270 | 290 |
| 9 | Idaho | $131,270 | +5% | $55,180 | $173,560 | 130 |
| 10 | Alabama | $129,960 | +4% | $74,520 | $175,170 | 40 |
| 11 | Georgia | $122,570 | −2% | $78,190 | $187,330 | 260 |
| 12 | Oregon | $122,120 | −2% | $81,620 | $147,600 | 320 |
| 13 | Texas | $121,420 | −3% | $66,760 | $219,140 | 560 |
| 14 | Colorado | $121,410 | −3% | $73,450 | $193,480 | 240 |
| 15 | Ohio | $120,000 | −4% | $69,770 | $216,920 | 140 |
| 16 | California | $119,410 | −4% | $74,030 | $207,380 | 860 |
| 17 | Tennessee | $117,650 | −6% | $83,610 | $162,670 | 80 |
| 18 | Missouri | $117,010 | −6% | $73,260 | $229,510 | 280 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $115,000 | −8% | $64,500 | $164,650 | 560 |
| 20 | Alaska | $111,040 | −11% | $80,110 | $141,270 | 80 |
| 21 | Washington | $109,300 | −12% | $80,320 | $167,960 | 450 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $106,380 | −15% | $74,080 | $222,610 | 1,030 |
| 23 | Michigan | $106,350 | −15% | $72,860 | $178,170 | 320 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $105,120 | −16% | $58,380 | $197,870 | 500 |
| 25 | Florida | $102,430 | −18% | $65,850 | $174,900 | 500 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $101,400 | −19% | $74,740 | $166,060 | 210 |
| 27 | Iowa | $96,310 | −23% | $59,980 | $144,750 | 70 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $91,560 | −27% | $55,130 | $136,990 | 50 |
| 29 | Maine | $91,480 | −27% | $69,140 | $132,950 | 70 |
| 30 | Nevada | $91,340 | −27% | $70,960 | $128,420 | 70 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | $89,980 | −28% | $67,490 | $171,650 | 80 |
| 32 | Montana | $89,340 | −28% | $69,850 | $116,210 | 90 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $86,130 | −31% | $60,080 | $157,110 | 50 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $84,000 | −33% | $53,340 | $132,270 | 280 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $83,050 | −33% | $66,370 | $120,270 | 50 |
| 36 | Indiana | $80,750 | −35% | $47,350 | $163,380 | 80 |
| 37 | Arizona | $79,610 | −36% | $75,000 | $138,990 | 340 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $75,880 | −39% | $45,000 | $135,300 | 90 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $73,050 | −41% | $60,680 | $136,970 | 140 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $71,400 | −43% | $59,810 | $124,380 | 100 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Economists salary questions
Which state pays economists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $167,590 a year (+34% vs. the national median of $124,720). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays economists the least?
Kentucky, with a median of $71,400 a year (−43% vs. national).
Where do most economists work?
District of Columbia has the most jobs, about 3,000, with a median of $167,590.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.