Economist salary in Pennsylvania
Economists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $115,000 a year ($55.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,650 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pennsylvania ranks 19th 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 $117,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| 25th percentile | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| Median | $115,000 | $55.29 |
| 75th percentile | $138,010 | $66.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,650 | $79.16 |
| Average (mean) | $117,370 | $56.43 |
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 | $9,583.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,791.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,423.08 |
| Weekly | $2,211.54 |
| Hourly | $55.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $139,530 | 220 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $122,980 | 90 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $80,010 | 170 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,870 | $44.17 |
| School Psychologist | $82,190 | $39.51 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $95,650 | $45.98 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $97,640 | $46.94 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $79,660 | $38.30 |
| Historian | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Political Scientist | $140,020 | $67.32 |
| Survey Researcher | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,110 | $36.59 |
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for economists in Pennsylvania is $115,000 a year, or $55.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of economists in Pennsylvania earn at least $164,650 a year. The top 25% earn $138,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,500 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $81,470 or less.
How many economists work in Pennsylvania?
About 560 economists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.