Economists Salary
In Connecticut, economists earn $101,400 at the median, or about $48.75 an hour. The range runs from $75K at the entry level to $166K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.88), that's roughly $98,561 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,679/month, or 26.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Connecticut. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $101K get you in Connecticut?
About economists
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What this looks like in Connecticut
Pay for economists in Connecticut runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $125K. Rent runs $1,679/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.88) 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, Connecticut
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $75K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $166K or more, a $91K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Connecticut
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $97K | -5% | 160 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Connecticut numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Connecticut?
Yes — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 27% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,679/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Connecticut?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $75K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,484/month. At HUD’s $1,679/month FMR, rent would take 37% 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 Connecticut?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $101K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Connecticut compare to the national average for economists?
Connecticut pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $99K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Connecticut?
The median is $101,400 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,740, and experienced economists can clear $166,060. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in Connecticut?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,216/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,679/month, which eats 27% 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 Connecticut?
Connecticut has a Regional Price Parity of 102.88 (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 $98,561 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.