Economist salary in Salem, OR
Economists in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $124,190 a year ($59.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 2% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $122,120. There are 0.29 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $118,550, close to the median.
Pay range for economists in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| 25th percentile | $105,100 | $50.53 |
| Median | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| 75th percentile | $136,870 | $65.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Average (mean) | $118,550 | $57.00 |
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 | $10,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,776.54 |
| Weekly | $2,388.27 |
| Hourly | $59.71 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,120 | n/a |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $143,980 | $69.22 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,960 | $51.91 |
| School Psychologist | $99,290 | $47.74 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| Food Science Technician | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Forester | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Conservation Scientist | $95,470 | $45.90 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,050 | $47.14 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $98,110 | $47.17 |
| Agricultural Technician | $38,720 | $18.61 |
| Biological Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for economists in the Salem, OR metro area is $124,190 a year, or $59.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of economists in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $136,990 a year. The top 25% earn $136,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,150 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $105,100 or less.
How many economists work in Salem, OR?
About 60 economists are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.