Washington Median
$109,300
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#21 of 40
450 employed here
How much does an Economist make in Washington?
An Economist working in Washington earns a median salary of $109,300 per year, or about $52.55 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $124,720 for this occupation.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $80,320 while the top 10% make $167,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $91,060 and $135,350 a year.
Economist salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,320 | $38.62 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $91,060 | $43.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $109,300 | $52.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $135,350 | $65.07 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,960 | $80.75 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 21st 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 $136,660North 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 $111,040Massachusetts $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($109,300) 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 Washington?
The median Economist salary in Washington is $109,300 per year, or about $52.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $80,320 at the entry level to $167,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Economists about 12% less than the national median of $124,720. Washington ranks 21st out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Economists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $109,300 a year. About 450 Economists are employed in Washington. 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 Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.