How much does an economist make in San Francisco?
$142,400a year
Median yearly pay for economists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area. That is $68.46 an hour or $11,870 a month.
- Hourly
- $68.46
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 62
- Jobs in the area
- 200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $82,670Median: $142,400Highest 10%: $214,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $82,670 | $39.75 | |
| 25th | $94,660 | $45.51 | |
| Median | $142,400 | $68.46 | |
| 75th | $180,400 | $86.73 | |
| 90th | $214,000 | $102.88 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for economists.
| Los Angeles, CA | $151,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $122,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,400 |
Related jobs in San Francisco
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Materials Scientist | $231,700 |
| Psychologist | $168,000 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $166,400 |
| Biochemist and Biophysicist | $165,100 |
| Medical Scientist | $160,200 |
| Hydrologist | $147,100 |
| Biological Scientist | $138,200 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $136,300 |
| Life Scientist | $134,800 |
| Sociologist | $134,800 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an economist make an hour in San Francisco?
The median hourly pay in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $68.46 ($142,400 a year).
Do economists make more in San Francisco than the national average?
Yes: $142,400 against $124,700 nationally, 14% more.
How does San Francisco compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $119,400, so San Francisco pays 19% more.
Where does San Francisco rank for economist pay?
6 of 62 metro areas with data.
How much does an economist make starting out in San Francisco?
The lowest-paid 10% make $82,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $214,000 or more.
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.