Economist salary in Tucson, AZ
Economists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $79,610 a year ($38.28 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $71,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,050 for the top 10%. That is 36% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is about the same as the Arizona statewide median of $79,610. The average (mean) salary is $83,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,230 | $34.25 |
| 25th percentile | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| Median | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| 75th percentile | $79,610 | $38.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,050 | $52.91 |
| Average (mean) | $83,420 | $40.11 |
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 | $6,634.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,317.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,061.92 |
| Weekly | $1,530.96 |
| Hourly | $38.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $125,160 | 130 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $124,250 | $59.74 |
| School Psychologist | $87,540 | $42.09 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $73,860 | $35.51 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $134,430 | $64.63 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,330 | $36.70 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $96,300 | $46.30 |
| Biological Technician | $49,550 | $23.82 |
| Conservation Scientist | $55,990 | $26.92 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for economists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $79,610 a year, or $38.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of economists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $110,050 a year. The top 25% earn $79,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,230 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $79,610 or less.