Economist salary in Madison, WI
Economists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $88,770 a year ($42.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,590 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $84,000. There are 0.25 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,440 | $36.27 |
| 25th percentile | $78,520 | $37.75 |
| Median | $88,770 | $42.68 |
| 75th percentile | $111,880 | $53.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,590 | $63.75 |
| Average (mean) | $97,510 | $46.88 |
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 | $7,397.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,698.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,414.23 |
| Weekly | $1,707.12 |
| Hourly | $42.68 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $107,030 | n/a |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $76,900 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,480 | $51.67 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $85,100 | $40.92 |
| School Psychologist | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $88,830 | $42.71 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $103,940 | $49.97 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $85,570 | $41.14 |
| Biological Technician | $51,750 | $24.88 |
| Chemist | $78,730 | $37.85 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $77,550 | $37.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Microbiologist | $67,940 | $32.66 |
| Conservation Scientist | $85,110 | $40.92 |
| Agricultural Technician | $47,030 | $22.61 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for economists in the Madison, WI metro area is $88,770 a year, or $42.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of economists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $132,590 a year. The top 25% earn $111,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,440 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $78,520 or less.
How many economists work in Madison, WI?
About 100 economists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.