Economist salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
Economists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn a median of $103,000 a year ($49.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,590 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 6% lower than the Washington statewide median of $109,300. There are 1.3 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 10.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,790 | $42.69 |
| 25th percentile | $93,340 | $44.87 |
| Median | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| 75th percentile | $110,930 | $53.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,590 | $64.71 |
| Average (mean) | $107,210 | $51.55 |
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 | $8,583.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,291.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,961.54 |
| Weekly | $1,980.77 |
| Hourly | $49.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,420 | 200 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,120 | n/a |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| School Psychologist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $119,520 | $57.46 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $86,700 | $41.68 |
| Epidemiologist | $108,240 | $52.04 |
| Conservation Scientist | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $82,500 | $39.66 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $95,640 | $45.98 |
| Forester | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Biological Technician | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Hydrologist | $93,340 | $44.87 |
| Chemist | $93,340 | $44.87 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The median salary for economists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area is $103,000 a year, or $49.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The top 10% of economists in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area earn at least $134,590 a year. The top 25% earn $110,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,790 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $93,340 or less.
How many economists work in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
About 160 economists are employed in the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.