Economists Salary
In Arkansas, economists earn $91,560 at the median, or about $44.02 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $137K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $104,473 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 17.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $92K get you in Arkansas?
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Pay for economists in Arkansas runs about 27% below the U.S. median of $125K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,021/month, 17.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, Arkansas can be a reasonable trade-off for economistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $137K or more, a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Arkansas
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $85K | -7% | 40 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $92K, rent takes 17.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,308/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 31% 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 Arkansas?
Local pay runs 27% below the national median — $92K here vs. $125K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for economists?
Arkansas pays $92K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -27%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $104K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Arkansas?
The median is $91,560 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,130, and experienced economists can clear $136,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $92K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,783/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 17.7% 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 Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (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 $104,473 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.