Economist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Economists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $132,630 a year ($63.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $296,630 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 13% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $117,010. There are 0.07 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $156,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| 25th percentile | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| Median | $132,630 | $63.77 |
| 75th percentile | $229,510 | $110.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $296,630 | $142.61 |
| Average (mean) | $156,690 | $75.33 |
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 | $11,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,101.15 |
| Weekly | $2,550.58 |
| Hourly | $63.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $128,520 | 150 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,250 | $48.68 |
| School Psychologist | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $88,440 | $42.52 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $104,950 | $50.46 |
| Survey Researcher | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $72,740 | $34.97 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,010 | $45.20 |
| Chemist | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,330 | $37.66 |
| Chemical Technician | $73,290 | $35.24 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $108,200 | $52.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for economists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $132,630 a year, or $63.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $296,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of economists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $296,630 a year. The top 25% earn $229,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,800 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $91,160 or less.
How many economists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 90 economists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.