Economist salary in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
Economists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn a median of $88,320 a year ($42.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,680 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 17% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $106,350. There are 0.16 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| 25th percentile | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Median | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| 75th percentile | $118,120 | $56.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,680 | $77.73 |
| Average (mean) | $97,700 | $46.97 |
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 | $7,360 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,680 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,396.92 |
| Weekly | $1,698.46 |
| Hourly | $42.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $88,320 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | $128,960 | 50 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $106,350 | 110 |
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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $89,170 | $42.87 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| School Psychologist | $85,930 | $41.31 |
| Sociologist | $64,180 | $30.86 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $85,180 | $40.95 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,220 | $30.87 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| Physicist | $71,580 | $34.41 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $65,390 | $31.44 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,760 | $39.79 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Lansing-East Lansing, MI
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 Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The median salary for economists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area is $88,320 a year, or $42.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $161,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
The top 10% of economists in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area earn at least $161,680 a year. The top 25% earn $118,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,370 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $75,580 or less.
How many economists work in Lansing-East Lansing, MI?
About 40 economists are employed in the Lansing-East Lansing, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.