Economist salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Economists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $117,600 a year ($56.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $238,050 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 14% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $136,150. There are 0.06 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $141,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| 25th percentile | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| Median | $117,600 | $56.54 |
| 75th percentile | $194,210 | $93.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $238,050 | $114.45 |
| Average (mean) | $141,330 | $67.95 |
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 | $9,800 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,900 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,523.08 |
| Weekly | $2,261.54 |
| Hourly | $56.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $117,600 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Economist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $152,130 | 120 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $103,600 | 50 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $96,030 | 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 |
See Economist pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $117,170 | $56.33 |
| School Psychologist | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $83,170 | $39.98 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $90,580 | $43.55 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $146,850 | $70.60 |
| Survey Researcher | $92,160 | $44.31 |
| Historian | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,730 | $34.97 |
| Chemist | $88,890 | $42.74 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $97,440 | $46.84 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,530 | $26.70 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for economists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $117,600 a year, or $56.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $238,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of economists in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $238,050 a year. The top 25% earn $194,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,640 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $74,150 or less.
How many economists work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 80 economists are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.