Economist salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Economists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $96,310 a year ($46.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,860 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $96,310. There are 0.09 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $107,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| 25th percentile | $64,210 | $30.87 |
| Median | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| 75th percentile | $144,750 | $69.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,860 | $71.09 |
| Average (mean) | $107,440 | $51.65 |
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 | $8,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,704.23 |
| Weekly | $1,852.12 |
| Hourly | $46.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,310 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $76,320 | $36.69 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $85,980 | $41.34 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $91,920 | $44.19 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,740 | $40.74 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $132,290 | $63.60 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,220 | $39.05 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Chemist | $87,560 | $42.10 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $95,200 | $45.77 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $99,420 | $47.80 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $43,960 | $21.14 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for economists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $96,310 a year, or $46.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of economists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $147,860 a year. The top 25% earn $144,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,200 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $64,210 or less.
How many economists work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 40 economists are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.