District of Columbia Median
$167,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$80.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+34% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#1 of 40
3,000 employed here
How much does an Economist make in District of Columbia?
An Economist working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $167,590 per year, or about $80.57 per hour. That is 34% above the national median of $124,720 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $98,350 while the top 10% make $299,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $115,910 and $224,080 a year.
Economist salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $98,350 | $47.28 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $115,910 | $55.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $167,590 | $80.57 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $224,080 | $107.73 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $299,110 | $143.80 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 40 states and territories for Economist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Economist salary in other states
New Jersey $167,550Delaware $159,120Maryland $144,680Kansas $138,790Virginia $137,590New York $136,660North Carolina $136,150Idaho $131,270Alabama $129,960Georgia $122,570Oregon $122,120Texas $121,420Colorado $121,410Ohio $120,000California $119,410Tennessee $117,650Missouri $117,010Pennsylvania $115,000Alaska $111,040Washington $109,300Massachusetts $106,380Michigan $106,350Minnesota $105,120Florida $102,430Connecticut $101,400Iowa $96,310Arkansas $91,560Maine $91,480Nevada $91,340Oklahoma $89,980Montana $89,340New Hampshire $86,130Wisconsin $84,000Hawaii $83,050Indiana $80,750Arizona $79,610Nebraska $75,880Louisiana $73,050Kentucky $71,400
Working as an Economist in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($167,590) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Economist salary in District of Columbia is $167,590 per year, or about $80.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $98,350 at the entry level to $299,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Economists about 34% more than the national median of $124,720. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Economists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $167,590 a year. About 3,000 Economists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Economist salary report
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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.