Economists Salary
In Florida, economists earn $102,430 at the median, or about $49.24 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $175K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.58), that's roughly $103,905 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,658/month, or 24.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $102K get you in Florida?
About economists
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What this looks like in Florida
Pay for economists in Florida runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $125K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,658/month, 24.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 98.58) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Lower pay, lower costs, Florida can be a reasonable trade-off for economistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K. Top earners bring in $175K or more, a $109K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Florida
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $137K | +34% | 30 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $118K | +15% | 110 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $104K | +1% | 80 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $102K | +0% | N/A |
| Tallahassee | $70K | -31% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Florida?
Yes — at the median salary of $102K, rent takes 24.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,658/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Florida?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,951/month. At HUD’s $1,658/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 Florida?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $102K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Florida compare to the national average for economists?
Florida pays $102K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.58), the purchasing-power equivalent is $104K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Florida?
The median is $102,430 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,850, and experienced economists can clear $174,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,704/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 24.7% 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 Florida?
Florida has a Regional Price Parity of 98.58 (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 $103,905 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.