Economists Salary
In District of Columbia, economists earn $167,590 at the median, or about $80.57 an hour. The range runs from $98K at the entry level to $299K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $153,922 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 21.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $168K get you in District of Columbia?
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for economists, local pay runs about 34% higher than the U.S. median of $125K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $2,146/month, 22.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Combined with manageable housing costs, District of Columbia offers a genuinely strong financial position for economistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $98K. Mid-career wages sit at $168K. Top earners bring in $299K or more, a $201K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $157K | -6% | 4,570 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $168K, rent takes 22.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $98K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,901/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 District of Columbia?
Local pay is 34% above the national median — $168K here vs. $125K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for economists?
District of Columbia pays $168K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s +34%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $154K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do economists make in District of Columbia?
The median is $167,590 a year, that works out to about $81 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $98,350, and experienced economists can clear $299,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $168K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,491/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 22.6% 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 District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $153,922 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.