Economist salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Economists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $96,030 a year ($46.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,720 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 29% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $136,150. There are 0.06 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $116,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,040 | $33.19 |
| 25th percentile | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Median | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| 75th percentile | $143,040 | $68.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Average (mean) | $116,990 | $56.25 |
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 | $8,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,001.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,693.46 |
| Weekly | $1,846.73 |
| Hourly | $46.17 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $152,130 | 120 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $117,600 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,600 | 50 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $96,560 | $46.42 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $75,350 | $36.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,810 | $40.78 |
| School Psychologist | $83,340 | $40.07 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $152,980 | $73.55 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,400 | $39.13 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $104,500 | $50.24 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,490 | $43.51 |
| Chemist | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $102,400 | $49.23 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Biological Technician | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Microbiologist | $85,010 | $40.87 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for economists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $96,030 a year, or $46.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $175,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of economists in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $175,720 a year. The top 25% earn $143,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,040 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $79,410 or less.
How many economists work in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
About 40 economists are employed in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.