Economist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Economists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $76,900 a year ($36.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,280 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 8% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $84,000. There are 0.12 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| 25th percentile | $53,340 | $25.64 |
| Median | $76,900 | $36.97 |
| 75th percentile | $96,600 | $46.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,280 | $58.31 |
| Average (mean) | $82,420 | $39.63 |
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 | $6,408.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,204.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,957.69 |
| Weekly | $1,478.85 |
| Hourly | $36.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $107,030 | n/a |
| Madison, WI | $88,770 | 100 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologists, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| School Psychologist | $95,090 | $45.72 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $109,940 | $52.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $101,230 | $48.67 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,450 | $42.04 |
| Chemist | $78,860 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,880 | $39.85 |
| Chemical Technician | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Biological Technician | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,280 | $36.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $69,980 | $33.64 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $66,200 | $31.83 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for economists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $76,900 a year, or $36.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of economists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $121,280 a year. The top 25% earn $96,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,340 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $53,340 or less.
How many economists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 100 economists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.