Economist salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Economists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $126,420 a year ($60.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,940 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is 16% higher than the Washington statewide median of $109,300. There are 0.09 economists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $131,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,320 | $38.61 |
| 25th percentile | $85,120 | $40.92 |
| Median | $126,420 | $60.78 |
| 75th percentile | $149,100 | $71.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,940 | $87.47 |
| Average (mean) | $131,660 | $63.30 |
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 | $10,535 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,267.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,862.31 |
| Weekly | $2,431.15 |
| Hourly | $60.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $126,420 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $122,120 | n/a |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $103,000 | 160 |
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,140 | $50.55 |
| School Psychologist | $115,570 | $55.56 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $124,060 | $59.65 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| Survey Researcher | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Sociologist | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Political Scientist | $153,960 | $74.02 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Chemist | $87,990 | $42.30 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for economists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $126,420 a year, or $60.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $181,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of economists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $181,940 a year. The top 25% earn $149,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,320 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $85,120 or less.
How many economists work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 200 economists are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.