Economists Salary
In Massachusetts, economists earn $106,380 at the median, or about $51.14 an hour. The range runs from $74K at the entry level to $223K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $106,284 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 34.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $106K get you in Massachusetts?
About economists
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Pay for economists in Massachusetts runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $125K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,347/month, which is 36.2% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for economistss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $74K. Mid-career wages sit at $106K. Top earners bring in $223K or more, a $149K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Massachusetts
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $108K | +2% | 820 |
| Worcester | $100K | -6% | 50 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $94K | -12% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $106K, rent takes 36.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $74K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,445/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 Massachusetts?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $106K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for economists?
Massachusetts pays $106K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $106K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Massachusetts?
The median is $106,380 a year, that works out to about $51 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $74,080, and experienced economists can clear $222,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $106K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,492/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 36.2% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $106,284 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.