Economist salary in Tennessee
Economists in Tennessee earn a median of $117,650 a year ($56.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,670 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $124,720. Tennessee ranks 17th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.02 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.21). The average (mean) salary is $123,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,610 | $40.20 |
| 25th percentile | $96,170 | $46.24 |
| Median | $117,650 | $56.56 |
| 75th percentile | $145,220 | $69.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,670 | $78.21 |
| Average (mean) | $123,810 | $59.53 |
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 | $9,804.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,902.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,525 |
| Weekly | $2,262.50 |
| Hourly | $56.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $116,990 | 40 |
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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,860 | $38.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $78,970 | $37.97 |
| Survey Researcher | $66,900 | $32.16 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $138,070 | $66.38 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| Historian | $71,080 | $34.17 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $54,840 | $26.36 |
| Biological Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,840 | $36.94 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for economists in Tennessee is $117,650 a year, or $56.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of economists in Tennessee earn at least $162,670 a year. The top 25% earn $145,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,610 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $96,170 or less.
How many economists work in Tennessee?
About 80 economists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.