Economist salary in Louisiana
Economists in Louisiana earn a median of $73,050 a year ($35.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,970 for the top 10%. That is 41% lower than the national median of $124,720. Louisiana ranks 39th of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.07 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $89,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,680 | $29.18 |
| 25th percentile | $66,420 | $31.94 |
| Median | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| 75th percentile | $93,550 | $44.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,970 | $65.85 |
| Average (mean) | $89,010 | $42.80 |
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 | $6,087.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,043.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,809.62 |
| Weekly | $1,404.81 |
| Hourly | $35.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,050 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Economist salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $75,510 | 40 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $74,580 | 50 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| School Psychologist | $69,020 | $33.18 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $91,170 | $43.83 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $74,500 | $35.82 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $104,460 | $50.22 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Historian | $80,620 | $38.76 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,560 | $43.06 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Chemical Technician | $85,850 | $41.28 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $57,930 | $27.85 |
| Chemist | $103,890 | $49.95 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $69,590 | $33.46 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for economists in Louisiana is $73,050 a year, or $35.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of economists in Louisiana earn at least $136,970 a year. The top 25% earn $93,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,680 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $66,420 or less.
How many economists work in Louisiana?
About 140 economists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.