Economists Salary
In Alaska, economists earn $111,040 at the median, or about $53.39 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $141K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $106,452 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,643/month, or 22.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $111K get you in Alaska?
About economists
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What this looks like in Alaska
Pay for economists in Alaska runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $125K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,643/month, 22.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Alaska can be a reasonable trade-off for economistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $111K. Top earners bring in $141K or more, a $61K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Alaska
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $109K | -1% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
Yes — at the median salary of $111K, rent takes 22.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,807/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 34% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is economist a high-paying job in Alaska?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $111K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for economists?
Alaska pays $111K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $106K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Alaska?
The median is $111,040 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,110, and experienced economists can clear $141,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $111K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,209/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 22.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a economists salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median economists salary is worth about $106,452 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do economists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.