Economist salary in District of Columbia
Economists in District of Columbia earn a median of $167,590 a year ($80.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $98,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $299,110 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $124,720. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 40 states for economists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.3 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 37.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $175,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,350 | $47.29 |
| 25th percentile | $115,910 | $55.73 |
| Median | $167,590 | $80.57 |
| 75th percentile | $224,080 | $107.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $299,110 | $143.81 |
| Average (mean) | $175,100 | $84.18 |
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 | $13,965.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,982.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,445.77 |
| Weekly | $3,222.88 |
| Hourly | $80.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $167,590 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Economist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $156,750 | 4,570 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Political Scientist | $152,530 | $73.33 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $128,440 | $61.75 |
| Historian | $118,290 | $56.87 |
| School Psychologist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $125,110 | $60.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $107,000 | $51.44 |
| Survey Researcher | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $137,000 | $65.87 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Physicist | $157,040 | $75.50 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for economists in District of Columbia is $167,590 a year, or $80.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $98,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $299,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of economists in District of Columbia earn at least $299,110 a year. The top 25% earn $224,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $98,350 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $115,910 or less.
How many economists work in District of Columbia?
About 3,000 economists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.