How much does an economist make in Seattle?
$126,400a year
Median yearly pay for economists in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $60.78 an hour or $10,540 a month.
- Hourly
- $60.78
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among cities
- 13 of 62
- Jobs in the area
- 200
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $80,320Median: $126,400Highest 10%: $181,900
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $80,320 | $38.62 | |
| 25th | $85,120 | $40.92 | |
| Median | $126,400 | $60.78 | |
| 75th | $149,100 | $71.68 | |
| 90th | $181,900 | $87.47 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for economists.
| Portland, OR | $122,100 |
| Olympia, WA | $103,000 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Political Scientist | $154,000 |
| Physicist | $140,400 |
| Materials Scientist | $137,500 |
| Physical Scientist | $134,700 |
| Psychologist | $124,100 |
| Epidemiologist | $124,000 |
| School Psychologist | $115,600 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialist | $109,500 |
| Biological Scientist | $108,600 |
| Urban and Regional Planner | $108,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an economist make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $60.78 ($126,400 a year).
Do economists make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $126,400 against $124,700 nationally, 1% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $109,300, so Seattle pays 16% more.
Where does Seattle rank for economist pay?
13 of 62 metro areas with data.
How much does an economist make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $80,320 or less a year; the top 10% make $181,900 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.