Economist Salary in Arizona (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Economists in Arizona, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arizona Median
$79,610
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-36% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#37 of 40
340 employed here

How much does an Economist make in Arizona?

Economists in Arizona take home a median of $79,610 annually — roughly $38.27 an hour — which runs 36% below the national median of $124,720.

Within Arizona, entry-level pay starts around $75,000 while the top 10% make $138,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,450 and $124,920 a year.

Economist salary range in Arizona

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$75,000$36.06
25th percentile (early career)$79,450$38.20
50th percentile (median)$79,610$38.27
75th percentile (experienced)$124,920$60.06
90th percentile (top earners)$138,990$66.82

How Arizona compares

Arizona ranks 37th out of 40 states and territories for Economist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$167,590
2New Jersey$167,550
3Delaware$159,120
4Maryland$144,680
5Kansas$138,790

Working as an Economist in Arizona

Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Economists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Arizona pay ($79,610) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Economist make in Arizona?
The median Economist salary in Arizona is $79,610 per year, or about $38.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $75,000 at the entry level to $138,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arizona pay compare to the national average?
Arizona pays Economists about 36% less than the national median of $124,720. Arizona ranks 37th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arizona a good state for Economists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $79,610 a year. About 340 Economists are employed in Arizona. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arizona?
The highest-paying occupations in Arizona include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($558,970), Radiologist ($470,640), Surgeon, All Other ($415,980), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Economist salary report

Related salaries

Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists

$103,410
median pay · 172,000 employed

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

$101,110
median pay · 37,000 employed

Food Scientists and Technologists

$88,720
median pay · 13,000 employed

Epidemiologist

$87,220
median pay · 12,000 employed

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists

$90,150
median pay · 141,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.