Economist salary in Missouri
Economists in Missouri earn a median of $117,010 a year ($56.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,510 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $124,720. Missouri ranks 18th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.10 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $134,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,260 | $35.22 |
| 25th percentile | $90,060 | $43.30 |
| Median | $117,010 | $56.26 |
| 75th percentile | $172,880 | $83.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $229,510 | $110.34 |
| Average (mean) | $134,000 | $64.43 |
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 | $9,750.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,875.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,500.38 |
| Weekly | $2,250.19 |
| Hourly | $56.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $132,630 | 90 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $128,520 | 150 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| School Psychologist | $70,290 | $33.79 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,720 | $38.81 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Survey Researcher | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $66,930 | $32.18 |
| Historian | $64,230 | $30.88 |
| Geographer | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Chemist | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for economists in Missouri is $117,010 a year, or $56.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $229,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Missouri?
The top 10% of economists in Missouri earn at least $229,510 a year. The top 25% earn $172,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,260 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $90,060 or less.
How many economists work in Missouri?
About 280 economists are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.