Economist salary in Massachusetts
Economists in Massachusetts earn a median of $106,380 a year ($51.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,030 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,610 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $124,720. Massachusetts ranks 22nd of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.28 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| 25th percentile | $91,690 | $44.08 |
| Median | $106,380 | $51.14 |
| 75th percentile | $155,130 | $74.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $222,610 | $107.03 |
| Average (mean) | $133,270 | $64.07 |
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 | $8,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,432.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,091.54 |
| Weekly | $2,045.77 |
| Hourly | $51.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $108,140 | 820 |
| Worcester, MA | $99,990 | 50 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $94,030 | 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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $98,670 | $47.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,180 | $55.37 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $129,410 | $62.22 |
| Sociologist | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| Political Scientist | $133,930 | $64.39 |
| Survey Researcher | $74,890 | $36.01 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $121,300 | $58.32 |
| Historian | $121,710 | $58.51 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $128,210 | $61.64 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Biological Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Chemist | $125,000 | $60.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for economists in Massachusetts is $106,380 a year, or $51.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $222,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of economists in Massachusetts earn at least $222,610 a year. The top 25% earn $155,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,080 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $91,690 or less.
How many economists work in Massachusetts?
About 1,030 economists are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.