Economist salary in Boulder, CO
Economists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $107,870 a year ($51.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 11% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $121,410. There are 0.21 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $117,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,120 | $32.75 |
| 25th percentile | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Median | $107,870 | $51.86 |
| 75th percentile | $130,460 | $62.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $117,480 | $56.48 |
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 | $8,989.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,494.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,148.85 |
| Weekly | $2,074.42 |
| Hourly | $51.86 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $121,410 | 150 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $121,410 | 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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $143,020 | $68.76 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,710 | $48.90 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,750 | $50.36 |
| Physicist | $104,580 | $50.28 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| Chemist | $105,590 | $50.77 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $140,710 | $67.65 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,960 | $32.19 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| Biological Technician | $75,390 | $36.24 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $107,860 | $51.86 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for economists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $107,870 a year, or $51.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of economists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $130,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,120 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $80,100 or less.
How many economists work in Boulder, CO?
About 40 economists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.