Virginia Median
$137,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$66.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#6 of 40
950 employed here
How much does an Economist make in Virginia?
Economists in Virginia take home a median of $137,590 annually — roughly $66.15 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $124,720.
Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $74,600 while the top 10% make $232,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $93,920 and $179,730 a year.
Economist salary range in Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,600 | $35.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $93,920 | $45.15 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $137,590 | $66.15 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $179,730 | $86.41 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $232,410 | $111.74 |
|
How Virginia compares
Virginia ranks 6th 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 $138,790New 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 Virginia
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 Virginia pay ($137,590) 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 Virginia?
The median Economist salary in Virginia is $137,590 per year, or about $66.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,600 at the entry level to $232,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Economists about 10% more than the national median of $124,720. Virginia ranks 6th out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Economists?
Yes on pay — Virginia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $137,590 a year. About 950 Economists are employed in Virginia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.