Economist salary in New York
Economists in New York earn a median of $136,660 a year ($65.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 910 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,850 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $124,720. New York ranks 7th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.09 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $168,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,130 | $39.49 |
| 25th percentile | $104,420 | $50.20 |
| Median | $136,660 | $65.70 |
| 75th percentile | $224,990 | $108.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $292,850 | $140.80 |
| Average (mean) | $168,580 | $81.05 |
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 | $11,388.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,694.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,256.15 |
| Weekly | $2,628.08 |
| Hourly | $65.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $176,090 | 850 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $99,200 | 90 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $106,550 | $51.22 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $104,770 | $50.37 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $89,630 | $43.09 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $128,320 | $61.69 |
| Historian | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Survey Researcher | $86,890 | $41.77 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $67,220 | $32.32 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $87,760 | $42.19 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,720 | $46.02 |
| Biological Technician | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Chemist | $90,600 | $43.56 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,160 | $39.50 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for economists in New York is $136,660 a year, or $65.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $292,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in New York?
The top 10% of economists in New York earn at least $292,850 a year. The top 25% earn $224,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,130 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $104,420 or less.
How many economists work in New York?
About 910 economists are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.