Economist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Economists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $121,410 a year ($58.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $121,410. There are 0.09 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $126,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,450 | $35.31 |
| 25th percentile | $82,430 | $39.63 |
| Median | $121,410 | $58.37 |
| 75th percentile | $159,120 | $76.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $126,990 | $61.05 |
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 | $10,117.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,058.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,669.62 |
| Weekly | $2,334.81 |
| Hourly | $58.37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $121,410 | 40 |
| Boulder, CO | $107,870 | 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $109,640 | $52.71 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $132,750 | $63.82 |
| Survey Researcher | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,260 | $52.53 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| Biological Technician | $65,140 | $31.32 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $120,480 | $57.92 |
| Chemist | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $140,980 | $67.78 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for economists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $121,410 a year, or $58.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of economists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $159,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,450 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $82,430 or less.
How many economists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 150 economists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.