How much does an economist make in Washington?
$156,800a year
Median yearly pay for economists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $75.36 an hour or $13,060 a month.
- Hourly
- $75.36
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 62
- Jobs in the area
- 4,570
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $93,440Median: $156,800Highest 10%: $259,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $93,440 | $44.92 | |
| 25th | $115,800 | $55.69 | |
| Median | $156,800 | $75.36 | |
| 75th | $195,200 | $93.84 | |
| 90th | $259,300 | $124.66 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for economists.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Physicist | $171,600 |
| Physical Scientist | $171,000 |
| Astronomer | $156,800 |
| Political Scientist | $156,700 |
| Hydrologist | $152,700 |
| Chemist | $144,700 |
| Social Scientist and Related Worker | $138,300 |
| Geoscientist | $132,600 |
| Psychologist | $129,700 |
| Materials Scientist | $127,500 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an economist make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $75.36 ($156,800 a year).
Do economists make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $156,800 against $124,700 nationally, 26% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $167,600, so Washington pays 6% less.
Where does Washington rank for economist pay?
2 of 62 metro areas with data.
How much does an economist make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $93,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $259,300 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.