Economist salary in Ann Arbor, MI
Economists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn a median of $128,960 a year ($62.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,910 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 21% higher than the Michigan statewide median of $106,350. There are 0.22 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $131,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Ann Arbor, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,610 | $41.64 |
| 25th percentile | $106,340 | $51.13 |
| Median | $128,960 | $62.00 |
| 75th percentile | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $174,910 | $84.09 |
| Average (mean) | $131,430 | $63.19 |
Half of economists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,746.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,373.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,960 |
| Weekly | $2,480 |
| Hourly | $62.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $106,350 | 110 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $88,320 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for economists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 |
| Delaware | $159,120 |
| Maryland | $144,680 |
| Kansas | $138,790 |
| Virginia | $137,590 |
| New York | $136,660 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 |
| Idaho | $131,270 |
| Alabama | $129,960 |
See Economist pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ann Arbor, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,370 | $41.04 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $78,280 | $37.64 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $117,210 | $56.35 |
| School Psychologist | $83,960 | $40.36 |
| Political Scientist | $86,290 | $41.49 |
| Survey Researcher | $103,140 | $49.59 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,060 | $39.45 |
| Chemist | $67,050 | $32.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Biological Technician | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,610 | $41.16 |
| Chemical Technician | $47,880 | $23.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Ann Arbor, MI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a economist make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The median salary for economists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area is $128,960 a year, or $62.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $174,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Ann Arbor, MI?
The top 10% of economists in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area earn at least $174,910 a year. The top 25% earn $151,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Ann Arbor, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,610 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $106,340 or less.
How many economists work in Ann Arbor, MI?
About 50 economists are employed in the Ann Arbor, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.