Economists pay range in Seattle
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,320 a year or less, while the top 10% make $181,940 or more. The middle half of economists in Seattle earn between $85,120 and $149,100.
- $80K10th
- $85K25th
- $126KMedian
- $149K75th
- $182K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $131,660 | $10,972 | $63.30 |
| Median | $126,420 | $10,535 | $60.78 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $85,120 | $7,093 | $40.92 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $149,100 | $12,425 | $71.68 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Seattle vs. Washington and the U.S.
Economists in Seattle earn 9% more than the Washington average ($120,550) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is +1% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $131,660 | $126,420 | $80,320 | $181,940 | 200 |
| Washington | $120,550 | $109,300 | $80,320 | $167,960 | 450 |
| 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 Seattle
On the average salary of $131,660, a single filer in Seattle takes home about $101,256 a year, or $8,438 a month and $3,894 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Is Seattle a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Seattle area are 11% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.1), so the average $131,660 buys what about $118,471 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Seattle ($72,610). A typical home costs $750,279, or 5.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in other Washington cities
Seattle ranks 1st of 2 Washington metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Seattle$131,660
- Olympia$107,210
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Economists salary in Seattle: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Seattle?
$63.30 an hour on average, and $60.78 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $80,320 a year and the 25th percentile is $85,120, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Seattle?
About $101,256 a year ($8,438 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $131,660. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Do economists earn more in Seattle than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% less 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA (42660). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.2%.
- 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 no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.82, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.