Economists Salary in California
In California, economists earn $100,510 at the median — $48.32 an hour. The range runs from $71K at the entry level to $194K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $101K get you in California?
About economists
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $71K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $194K or more, a $122K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in California
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $134K | +34% | 440 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $118K | +18% | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $105K | +4% | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $102K | +2% | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $92K | -8% | 380 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do economists make in California?
The median is $100,510 a year, that works out to about $48 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,260, and experienced economists can clear $193,500. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,134/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 40.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a economists salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median economists salary is worth about $94,696 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.