Economists Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$80,320
- 25th Percentile — Junior$91,060
- 50th Percentile — Median$109,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$135,350
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$167,960
Half of Economists in Washington earn more than $109,300. The top 10% make $167,960 or more, while entry-level workers start around $80,320.
Economists in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 19th of 40 states for Economists pay, at $120,550 per year (15.2% below the U.S. average of $142,130).
- 450 people work as Economists in Washington — 2.5% of all U.S. Economists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.10: Economists jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $80,320; the top 10% earn over $167,960.
- Hourly equivalent: $57.96 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $175,100.
- Among science jobs in Washington, Physicists pays the most ($149,060).
Economists Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Economists here earn $120,550 on average, placing the state 19th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $120,550 is roughly equivalent to $96,440 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alabama ($127,060), Colorado ($127,020), Tennessee ($123,810) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $149,060/yr Washington +23.6% vs this role
- Materials Scientists $139,140/yr Washington +15.4% vs this role
- Hydrologists $123,510/yr Washington +2.5% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $117,840/yr Washington 2.2% vs this role
- Geoscientists $117,140/yr Washington 2.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $113,120/yr Washington 6.2% vs this role
- Chemists $104,480/yr Washington 13.3% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $103,580/yr Washington 14.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Economists salary in Washington?
The average Economists salary in Washington is $120,550 per year (median $109,300), which is 15.2% below the national average of $142,130.
How does Washington rank for Economists pay?
Washington ranks 19th out of 40 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($175,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Economists make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Economists in Washington earn about $80,320 per year and the 25th percentile is $91,060.
How much do Economists make per hour in Washington?
About $57.96 per hour, based on the $120,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Economists work in Washington?
BLS counts 450 Economists jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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