Economists pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $93,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $259,290 or more. The middle half of economists in Washington earn between $115,830 and $195,190.
- $93K10th
- $116K25th
- $157KMedian
- $195K75th
- $259K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $166,140 | $13,845 | $79.88 |
| Median | $156,750 | $13,062 | $75.36 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $115,830 | $9,652 | $55.69 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $195,190 | $16,266 | $93.84 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Economists in Washington earn 5% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($175,100) and 17% more than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is +26% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $166,140 | $156,750 | $93,440 | $259,290 | 4,570 |
| Washington, D.C. | $175,100 | $167,590 | $98,350 | $299,110 | 3,000 |
| United States | $142,130 | $124,720 | $67,360 | $238,060 | 17,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Economists salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $166,140, a single filer in Washington takes home about $113,669 a year, or $9,472 a month and $4,372 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $118,103 | $9,842 |
| Working in MD | $116,859 | $9,738 |
| Working in VA | $116,084 | $9,674 |
| Working in DC | $113,669 | $9,472 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $166,140 buys what about $152,584 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$147,800
- Richmond, VA$137,150
- Harrisburg, PA$82,020
- Philadelphia, PA$149,490
- Virginia Beach, VA$109,300
- Pittsburgh, PA$128,880
Highest-paying cities for economists
New York, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($184,860).
- New York, NY$184,860
- Washington, DC$166,140
- Durham, NC$159,310
- St. Louis, MO$156,690
- Los Angeles, CA$155,860
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Economists salary in Washington: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Washington?
$79.88 an hour on average, and $75.36 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $93,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $115,830, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Washington?
About $113,669 a year ($9,472 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $166,140.
Do economists earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% more than the U.S. average for this job ($142,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3011; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 12.74, this job is 12.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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