Economist salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Economists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $122,980 a year ($59.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,620 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 7% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $115,000. There are 0.08 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $128,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| 25th percentile | $109,950 | $52.86 |
| Median | $122,980 | $59.13 |
| 75th percentile | $146,680 | $70.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $171,620 | $82.51 |
| Average (mean) | $128,880 | $61.96 |
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 | $10,248.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,124.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,730 |
| Weekly | $2,365 |
| Hourly | $59.13 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $139,530 | 220 |
| 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 |
See Economist pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,690 | $38.31 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $94,680 | $45.52 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for economists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $122,980 a year, or $59.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $171,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of economists in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $171,620 a year. The top 25% earn $146,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,410 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $109,950 or less.
How many economists work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 90 economists are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.