Economist salary in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
Economists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median of $138,260 a year ($66.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,280 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 71% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $80,750. There are 0.03 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.26). The average (mean) salary is $130,110, close to the median.
Pay range for economists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,360 | $32.38 |
| 25th percentile | $102,170 | $49.12 |
| Median | $138,260 | $66.47 |
| 75th percentile | $160,430 | $77.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,280 | $81.87 |
| Average (mean) | $130,110 | $62.55 |
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 | $11,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,760.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,317.69 |
| Weekly | $2,658.85 |
| Hourly | $66.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $138,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| School Psychologist | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $70,760 | $34.02 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $106,370 | $51.14 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Chemist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,820 | $40.78 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,130 | $37.08 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| Biological Technician | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $104,330 | $50.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN
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 Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The median salary for economists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $138,260 a year, or $66.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $170,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
The top 10% of economists in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn at least $170,280 a year. The top 25% earn $160,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,360 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $102,170 or less.
How many economists work in Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN?
About 30 economists are employed in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.