BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Economists in District of Columbia

$175,100 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$84.18 per hour

▲ 23.2% above U.S. average1st of 40 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$175,100per year
Median$167,590per year
Hourly$84.18per hour
10th – 90th percentile$98,350 – $299,110per year

Economists Pay Range in District of Columbia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$98,350
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$115,910
  • 50th Percentile — Median$167,590
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$224,080
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$299,110

Half of Economists in District of Columbia earn more than $167,590. The top 10% make $299,110 or more, while entry-level workers start around $98,350.

Economists in District of Columbia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • District of Columbia ranks 1st of 40 states for Economists pay, at $175,100 per year (23.2% above the U.S. average of $142,130).
  • 3,000 people work as Economists in District of Columbia — 16.9% of all U.S. Economists jobs.
  • Location quotient 37.34: Economists jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $98,350; the top 10% earn over $299,110.
  • Hourly equivalent: $84.18 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among science jobs in District of Columbia, Physicists pays the most ($156,320).

Economists Job Market in District of Columbia

Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Economists here earn $175,100 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $175,100 is roughly equivalent to $115,197 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($168,580), New Jersey ($161,990), Kansas ($150,950) are the closest alternatives for Economists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Economists salary in District of Columbia?

The average Economists salary in District of Columbia is $175,100 per year (median $167,590), which is 23.2% above the national average of $142,130.

How does District of Columbia rank for Economists pay?

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 40 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($175,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Economists make in District of Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Economists in District of Columbia earn about $98,350 per year and the 25th percentile is $115,910.

How much do Economists make per hour in District of Columbia?

About $84.18 per hour, based on the $175,100 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Economists work in District of Columbia?

BLS counts 3,000 Economists jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).

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