Economists Salary
In Idaho, economists earn $131,270 at the median, or about $63.11 an hour. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $174K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.88), which stretches that salary to about $139,827 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,136/month, or 14.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Idaho. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $131K get you in Idaho?
About economists
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What this looks like in Idaho
Economists pay in Idaho tracks closely to the national median, $131K locally vs. $125K nationwide, a 5% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,136/month, 14.5% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.88 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Idaho
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K. Top earners bring in $174K or more, a $118K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Idaho numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Idaho?
Yes — at the median salary of $131K, rent takes 14.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,136/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Idaho?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $55K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,311/month. At HUD’s $1,136/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 Idaho?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $131K locally vs. $125K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Idaho compare to the national average for economists?
Idaho pays $131K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s +5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $140K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do economists make in Idaho?
The median is $131,270 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,180, and experienced economists can clear $173,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Idaho?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,827/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,136/month, which eats 14.5% 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 Idaho?
Idaho has a Regional Price Parity of 93.88 (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 $139,827 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.