Economist salary in Arizona
Economists in Arizona earn a median of $79,610 a year ($38.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,990 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $124,720. Arizona ranks 37th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.10 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $99,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 25th percentile | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Median | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| 75th percentile | $124,920 | $60.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,990 | $66.82 |
| Average (mean) | $99,420 | $47.80 |
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 | $6,634.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,317.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,061.92 |
| Weekly | $1,530.96 |
| Hourly | $38.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $125,160 | 130 |
| Tucson, AZ | $79,610 | n/a |
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 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| School Psychologist | $92,380 | $44.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $119,010 | $57.22 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $137,510 | $66.11 |
| Political Scientist | $108,770 | $52.29 |
| Survey Researcher | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $116,820 | $56.16 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $63,250 | $30.41 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for economists in Arizona is $79,610 a year, or $38.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Arizona?
The top 10% of economists in Arizona earn at least $138,990 a year. The top 25% earn $124,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,000 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $79,450 or less.
How many economists work in Arizona?
About 340 economists are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.