North Carolina Median
$136,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$65.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#8 of 40
290 employed here
How much does an Economist make in North Carolina?
Economists in North Carolina take home a median of $136,150 annually — roughly $65.46 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $124,720.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $35,460 while the top 10% make $224,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,790 and $172,860 a year.
Economist salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,460 | $17.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $79,790 | $38.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $136,150 | $65.46 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $172,860 | $83.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $224,270 | $107.82 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 8th out of 40 states and territories for Economist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Economist salary in other states
District of Columbia $167,590New Jersey $167,550Delaware $159,120Maryland $144,680Kansas $138,790Virginia $137,590New York $136,660Idaho $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($136,150) 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 North Carolina?
The median Economist salary in North Carolina is $136,150 per year, or about $65.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,460 at the entry level to $224,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Economists about 9% more than the national median of $124,720. North Carolina ranks 8th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Economists?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $136,150 a year. About 290 Economists are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Economist salary report
Related salaries
$103,410
median pay · 172,000 employed
$101,110
median pay · 37,000 employed
$88,720
median pay · 13,000 employed
$87,220
median pay · 12,000 employed
$82,220
median pay · 89,000 employed
$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.