Economist salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Economists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn a median of $117,920 a year ($56.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,440 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 1% lower than the California statewide median of $119,410. There are 0.02 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.19). The average (mean) salary is $145,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| 25th percentile | $108,810 | $52.31 |
| Median | $117,920 | $56.69 |
| 75th percentile | $166,370 | $79.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $264,440 | $127.14 |
| Average (mean) | $145,870 | $70.13 |
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 | $9,826.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,913.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,535.38 |
| Weekly | $2,267.69 |
| Hourly | $56.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $117,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $151,510 | 200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $142,400 | 200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $122,750 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $100,410 | 250 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,730 | $44.58 |
| School Psychologist | $139,400 | $67.02 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,760 | $52.29 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $103,310 | $49.67 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $148,530 | $71.41 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| Sociologist | $131,170 | $63.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $138,390 | $66.53 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $104,110 | $50.05 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Chemist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,620 | $26.74 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median salary for economists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area is $117,920 a year, or $56.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $264,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The top 10% of economists in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area earn at least $264,440 a year. The top 25% earn $166,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,310 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $108,810 or less.
How many economists work in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
About 40 economists are employed in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.