Economist salary in Kentucky
Economists in Kentucky earn a median of $71,400 a year ($34.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,380 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $124,720. Kentucky ranks 40th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.05 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.42). The average (mean) salary is $83,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,810 | $28.76 |
| 25th percentile | $64,070 | $30.81 |
| Median | $71,400 | $34.33 |
| 75th percentile | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,380 | $59.80 |
| Average (mean) | $83,920 | $40.35 |
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 | $5,950 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,975 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,746.15 |
| Weekly | $1,373.08 |
| Hourly | $34.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $120,740 | 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,140 | $47.66 |
| School Psychologist | $75,370 | $36.24 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $149,990 | $72.11 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,230 | $34.73 |
| Historian | $63,530 | $30.54 |
| Sociologist | $136,870 | $65.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,730 | $40.25 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,830 | $29.25 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,580 | $37.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,120 | $29.38 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for economists in Kentucky is $71,400 a year, or $34.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of economists in Kentucky earn at least $124,380 a year. The top 25% earn $100,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,810 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $64,070 or less.
How many economists work in Kentucky?
About 100 economists are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.