Economists Salary
In Arizona, economists earn $79,610 at the median, or about $38.28 an hour. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $82,574 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,437/month, or 27% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $80K get you in Arizona?
About economists
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What this looks like in Arizona
Pay for economists in Arizona runs about 36% below the U.S. median of $125K. Rent runs $1,437/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Arizona
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $125K | +57% | 130 |
| Tucson | $80K | +0% | N/A |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
Yes — at the median salary of $80K, rent takes 27.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,500/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 32% 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 Arizona?
Local pay runs 36% below the national median — $80K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for economists?
Arizona pays $80K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -36%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Arizona?
The median is $79,610 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $75,000, and experienced economists can clear $138,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,200/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 27.6% 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 Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median economists salary is worth about $82,574 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.