Economist salary in Cleveland, OH
Economists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $105,340 a year ($50.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $261,240 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 12% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $120,000. There are 0.05 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $139,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,990 | $34.13 |
| 25th percentile | $70,990 | $34.13 |
| Median | $105,340 | $50.64 |
| 75th percentile | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $261,240 | $125.60 |
| Average (mean) | $139,600 | $67.11 |
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 | $8,778.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,389.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,051.54 |
| Weekly | $2,025.77 |
| Hourly | $50.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $105,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $120,740 | 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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $94,250 | $45.31 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $101,660 | $48.88 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,290 | $39.08 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $139,170 | $66.91 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,800 | $37.88 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,070 | $42.34 |
| Chemist | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,080 | $29.85 |
| Biological Technician | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Physicist | $239,360 | $115.08 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Conservation Scientist | $63,160 | $30.37 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median salary for economists in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $105,340 a year, or $50.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $261,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of economists in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $261,240 a year. The top 25% earn $170,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,990 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $70,990 or less.
How many economists work in Cleveland, OH?
About 50 economists are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.