BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Economists in Tennessee

$123,810 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$59.52 per hour

▼ 12.9% below U.S. average17th of 40 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$123,810per year
Median$117,650per year
Hourly$59.52per hour
10th – 90th percentile$83,610 – $162,670per year

Economists Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$83,610
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$96,170
  • 50th Percentile — Median$117,650
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$145,220
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$162,670

Half of Economists in Tennessee earn more than $117,650. The top 10% make $162,670 or more, while entry-level workers start around $83,610.

Economists in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 17th of 40 states for Economists pay, at $123,810 per year (12.9% below the U.S. average of $142,130).
  • 80 people work as Economists in Tennessee — 0.4% of all U.S. Economists jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.21: Economists jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $83,610; the top 10% earn over $162,670.
  • Hourly equivalent: $59.52 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $175,100.
  • Among science jobs in Tennessee, Physicists pays the most ($171,070).

Economists Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Economists here earn $123,810 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $123,810 is roughly equivalent to $140,693 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($132,380), Georgia ($131,680), Alabama ($127,060) 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 Tennessee?

The average Economists salary in Tennessee is $123,810 per year (median $117,650), which is 12.9% below the national average of $142,130.

How does Tennessee rank for Economists pay?

Tennessee ranks 17th out of 40 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($175,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Economists make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Economists in Tennessee earn about $83,610 per year and the 25th percentile is $96,170.

How much do Economists make per hour in Tennessee?

About $59.52 per hour, based on the $123,810 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Economists work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 80 Economists jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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