Economist salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Economists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $116,990 a year ($56.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,840 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $117,650. There are 0.04 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $122,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,570 | $35.85 |
| 25th percentile | $96,170 | $46.24 |
| Median | $116,990 | $56.25 |
| 75th percentile | $142,480 | $68.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,840 | $76.85 |
| Average (mean) | $122,610 | $58.95 |
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 | $9,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,874.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,499.62 |
| Weekly | $2,249.81 |
| Hourly | $56.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $116,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| School Psychologist | $80,420 | $38.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $80,860 | $38.87 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $84,350 | $40.55 |
| Survey Researcher | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $138,070 | $66.38 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,410 | $40.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $76,250 | $36.66 |
| Chemist | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,170 | $24.60 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $80,500 | $38.70 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $78,480 | $37.73 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for economists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $116,990 a year, or $56.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of economists in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $159,840 a year. The top 25% earn $142,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,570 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $96,170 or less.
How many economists work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 40 economists are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.