Economist salary in Washington
Economists in Washington earn a median of $109,300 a year ($52.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,960 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $124,720. Washington ranks 21st of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.13 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $120,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,320 | $38.61 |
| 25th percentile | $91,060 | $43.78 |
| Median | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| 75th percentile | $135,350 | $65.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,960 | $80.75 |
| Average (mean) | $120,550 | $57.96 |
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 | $9,108.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,554.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,203.85 |
| Weekly | $2,101.92 |
| Hourly | $52.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Economist salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,420 | 200 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,120 | n/a |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $103,000 | 160 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $100,990 | $48.56 |
| School Psychologist | $108,780 | $52.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,240 | $55.40 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $128,230 | $61.65 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $74,790 | $35.96 |
| Sociologist | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Survey Researcher | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Political Scientist | $147,060 | $70.70 |
| Geographer | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Historian | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for economists in Washington is $109,300 a year, or $52.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Washington?
The top 10% of economists in Washington earn at least $167,960 a year. The top 25% earn $135,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,320 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $91,060 or less.
How many economists work in Washington?
About 450 economists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.