Economist salary in Richmond, VA
Economists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $112,330 a year ($54.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $267,110 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 18% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $137,590. There are 0.18 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
| 25th percentile | $94,860 | $45.61 |
| Median | $112,330 | $54.00 |
| 75th percentile | $153,500 | $73.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $267,110 | $128.42 |
| Average (mean) | $137,150 | $65.94 |
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 | $9,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,680.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,320.38 |
| Weekly | $2,160.19 |
| Hourly | $54.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | 4,570 |
| 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| School Psychologist | $82,440 | $39.64 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $152,050 | $73.10 |
| Survey Researcher | $72,610 | $34.91 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for economists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $112,330 a year, or $54.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $267,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of economists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $267,110 a year. The top 25% earn $153,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,220 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $94,860 or less.
How many economists work in Richmond, VA?
About 120 economists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.