Economists Salary
In Anchorage, AK, economists earn $109,480 at the median, or about $52.64 an hour. The range runs from $84K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $103,851 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,376/month, or 18.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $109K get you in Anchorage?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Anchorage’s Regional Price Parity (105.42). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About economists
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What this looks like in Anchorage
Pay for economists in Anchorage runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $125K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,376/month, 19.3% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 5% above the national average (BEA RPP 105.42), so groceries and services cost more too. Lower pay, lower costs, Anchorage can be a reasonable trade-off for economistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Anchorage, AK
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $84K. Mid-career wages sit at $109K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $78K spread from bottom to top.
Economists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Economists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $168K | +34% | 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $168K | +34% | 280 |
| Delaware | $159K | +28% | 70 |
| Maryland | $145K | +16% | 1,130 |
| Kansas | $139K | +11% | 80 |
| Virginia | $138K | +10% | 950 |
| New York | $137K | +10% | 910 |
| North Carolina | $136K | +9% | 290 |
| Idaho | $131K | +5% | 130 |
| Alabama | $130K | +4% | 40 |
| Georgia | $123K | -2% | 260 |
| Oregon | $122K | -2% | 320 |
| Texas | $121K | -3% | 560 |
| Colorado | $121K | -3% | 240 |
| Ohio | $120K | -4% | 140 |
| California | $119K | -4% | 860 |
| Tennessee | $118K | -6% | 80 |
| Missouri | $117K | -6% | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $115K | -8% | 560 |
| Alaska | $111K | -11% | 80 |
| Washington | $109K | -12% | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $106K | -15% | 1,030 |
| Michigan | $106K | -15% | 320 |
| Minnesota | $105K | -16% | 500 |
| Florida | $102K | -18% | 500 |
| Connecticut | $101K | -19% | 210 |
| Iowa | $96K | -23% | 70 |
| Arkansas | $92K | -27% | 50 |
| Maine | $91K | -27% | 70 |
| Nevada | $91K | -27% | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $90K | -28% | 80 |
| Montana | $89K | -28% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $86K | -31% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $84K | -33% | 280 |
| Hawaii | $83K | -33% | 50 |
| Indiana | $81K | -35% | 80 |
| Arizona | $80K | -36% | 340 |
| Nebraska | $76K | -39% | 90 |
| Louisiana | $73K | -41% | 140 |
| Kentucky | $71K | -43% | 100 |
Showing 1–10 of 40 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Anchorage numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Anchorage?
Yes — at the median salary of $109K, rent takes 19.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,376/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Anchorage?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $84K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,016/month. At HUD’s $1,376/month FMR, rent would take 27% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is economist a high-paying job in Anchorage?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $109K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Anchorage compare to the national average for economists?
Anchorage pays $109K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 105.42), the purchasing-power equivalent is $104K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Anchorage, AK?
The median is $109,480 a year, that works out to about $53 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $83,600, and experienced economists can clear $161,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $109K enough to live in Anchorage?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,117/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,376/month, which eats 19.3% 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 Anchorage?
Anchorage has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (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 $103,851 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.