How much does an economist make in California?
$119,400a year
Median yearly pay for economists in California. That is $57.41 an hour or $9,951 a month.
- Hourly
- $57.41
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among states
- 16 of 40
- Jobs in the state
- 860
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $74,030Median: $119,400Highest 10%: $207,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,030 | $35.59 | |
| 25th | $91,320 | $43.90 | |
| Median | $119,400 | $57.41 | |
| 75th | $164,800 | $79.22 | |
| 90th | $207,400 | $99.70 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $151,500 |
| San Francisco, CA | $142,400 |
| San Diego, CA | $122,800 |
| Riverside, CA | $117,900 |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for economists.
| 13. Texas | $121,400 |
| 14. Colorado | $121,400 |
| 15. Ohio | $120,000 |
| 16. California | $119,400 |
| 17. Tennessee | $117,700 |
| 18. Missouri | $117,000 |
| 19. Pennsylvania | $115,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an economist make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $57.41 ($119,400 a year).
Do economists make more in California than the national average?
No: $119,400 against $124,700 nationally, 4% less.
Where does California rank for economist pay?
California ranks 16 of 40 states.
Which city in California pays economists the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $151,500 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.