Economist Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$121,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$58.38
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#13 of 40
560 employed here

How much does an Economist make in Texas?

Economists in Texas take home a median of $121,420 annually — roughly $58.38 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $124,720.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $66,760 while the top 10% make $219,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,900 and $175,000 a year.

Economist salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$66,760$32.10
25th percentile (early career)$83,900$40.34
50th percentile (median)$121,420$58.38
75th percentile (experienced)$175,000$84.13
90th percentile (top earners)$219,140$105.36

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 13th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($121,420) 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 Texas?
The median Economist salary in Texas is $121,420 per year, or about $58.38 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,760 at the entry level to $219,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Economists about 3% less than the national median of $124,720. Texas ranks 13th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Economists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $121,420 a year. About 560 Economists are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.