Economists Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,030
- 25th Percentile — Junior$91,320
- 50th Percentile — Median$119,410
- 75th Percentile — Senior$164,770
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$207,380
Half of Economists in California earn more than $119,410. The top 10% make $207,380 or more, while entry-level workers start around $74,030.
Economists in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 11th of 40 states for Economists pay, at $133,680 per year (5.9% below the U.S. average of $142,130).
- 860 people work as Economists in California — 4.8% of all U.S. Economists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.41: Economists jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $74,030; the top 10% earn over $207,380.
- Hourly equivalent: $64.27 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $175,100.
- Among science jobs in California, Physicists pays the most ($201,930).
Economists Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Economists here earn $133,680 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $133,680 is roughly equivalent to $94,141 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($144,880), North Carolina ($136,220), Texas ($135,080) are the closest alternatives for Economists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $201,930/yr California +51.1% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $189,460/yr California +41.7% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $148,550/yr California +11.1% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $140,120/yr California +4.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $127,330/yr California 4.8% vs this role
- Sociologists $123,090/yr California 7.9% vs this role
- Hydrologists $122,940/yr California 8.0% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $116,480/yr California 12.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Economists salary in California?
The average Economists salary in California is $133,680 per year (median $119,410), which is 5.9% below the national average of $142,130.
How does California rank for Economists pay?
California ranks 11th out of 40 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($175,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Economists make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Economists in California earn about $74,030 per year and the 25th percentile is $91,320.
How much do Economists make per hour in California?
About $64.27 per hour, based on the $133,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Economists work in California?
BLS counts 860 Economists jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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