Economist salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Economists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $75,510 a year ($36.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,570 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 3% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $73,050. There are 0.08 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.69). The average (mean) salary is $97,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,680 | $29.18 |
| 25th percentile | $70,740 | $34.01 |
| Median | $75,510 | $36.31 |
| 75th percentile | $114,400 | $55.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,570 | $73.83 |
| Average (mean) | $97,000 | $46.63 |
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 | $6,292.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,146.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,904.23 |
| Weekly | $1,452.12 |
| Hourly | $36.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,510 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Economist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $106,550 | $51.23 |
| School Psychologist | $86,630 | $41.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Historian | $82,400 | $39.62 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $56,580 | $27.20 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $46,760 | $22.48 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $92,610 | $44.52 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Chemical Technician | $80,390 | $38.65 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Chemist | $96,100 | $46.20 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for economists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $75,510 a year, or $36.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $153,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of economists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $153,570 a year. The top 25% earn $114,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,680 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $70,740 or less.
How many economists work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 40 economists are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.