Economist salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Economists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $152,130 a year ($73.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,270 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 12% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $136,150. There are 0.34 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $159,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| 25th percentile | $132,040 | $63.48 |
| Median | $152,130 | $73.14 |
| 75th percentile | $198,260 | $95.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,270 | $107.82 |
| Average (mean) | $159,310 | $76.59 |
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 | $12,677.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,338.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,851.15 |
| Weekly | $2,925.58 |
| Hourly | $73.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $152,130 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $117,600 | 80 |
| 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $81,420 | $39.15 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $93,420 | $44.91 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $85,290 | $41.01 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| School Psychologist | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $80,270 | $38.59 |
| Sociologist | $126,760 | $60.94 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Chemist | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Biological Technician | $58,400 | $28.08 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $105,850 | $50.89 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,840 | $39.83 |
| Microbiologist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for economists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $152,130 a year, or $73.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $224,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of economists in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $224,270 a year. The top 25% earn $198,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,700 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $132,040 or less.
How many economists work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 120 economists are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.