Economist salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Economists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $125,160 a year ($60.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $75,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,260 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 57% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $79,610. There are 0.05 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $120,630, close to the median.
Pay range for economists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 25th percentile | $88,000 | $42.31 |
| Median | $125,160 | $60.17 |
| 75th percentile | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,260 | $81.37 |
| Average (mean) | $120,630 | $58.00 |
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 | $10,430 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,215 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,813.85 |
| Weekly | $2,406.92 |
| Hourly | $60.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $125,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | $79,610 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $107,470 | $51.67 |
| School Psychologist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $98,520 | $47.37 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $137,650 | $66.18 |
| Political Scientist | $114,320 | $54.96 |
| Survey Researcher | $59,210 | $28.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $108,390 | $52.11 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $65,220 | $31.36 |
| Biological Technician | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Chemist | $78,060 | $37.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for economists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $125,160 a year, or $60.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $75,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of economists in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $169,260 a year. The top 25% earn $137,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $75,000 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $88,000 or less.
How many economists work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 130 economists are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.