Economists Salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
In Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI, economists earn $76,930 at the median — $36.99 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $115K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.94), that's roughly $79,358 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,338/month, or 26.5% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $77K get you in Milwaukee-Waukesha?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Milwaukee-Waukesha’s Regional Price Parity (96.94). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $115K or more, a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Economists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $163K | +41% | 3,010 |
| Virginia | $148K | +28% | 970 |
| New York | $142K | +23% | 870 |
| Maryland | $138K | +19% | 920 |
| Georgia | $127K | +10% | 340 |
| Ohio | $118K | +2% | 130 |
| Washington | $116K | +1% | 470 |
| Missouri | $116K | +0% | 210 |
| Kansas | $115K | -0% | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $113K | -2% | 710 |
| Illinois | $113K | -2% | 590 |
| North Carolina | $112K | -3% | 250 |
| Oregon | $112K | -3% | 270 |
| Tennessee | $110K | -4% | N/A |
| Alaska | $109K | -6% | N/A |
| Minnesota | $107K | -7% | 210 |
| Texas | $106K | -8% | 620 |
| Alabama | $103K | -10% | 40 |
| Connecticut | $103K | -11% | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $103K | -11% | 770 |
| New Jersey | $102K | -11% | 110 |
| California | $101K | -13% | 1,400 |
| Arizona | $96K | -17% | N/A |
| Montana | $96K | -17% | 70 |
| Indiana | $96K | -17% | 60 |
| Michigan | $95K | -18% | 280 |
| Iowa | $93K | -20% | 70 |
| Florida | $89K | -23% | 460 |
| Louisiana | $89K | -23% | 70 |
| Nevada | $85K | -27% | 90 |
| New Mexico | $82K | -29% | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $82K | -29% | N/A |
| Hawaii | $82K | -29% | 60 |
| Maine | $81K | -30% | 60 |
| Idaho | $79K | -32% | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $77K | -33% | 330 |
| Nebraska | $67K | -42% | 90 |
| Kentucky | $65K | -43% | 160 |
| South Carolina | $52K | -55% | 660 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Milwaukee-Waukesha numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do economists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median is $76,930 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,450, and experienced economists can clear $115,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Milwaukee-Waukesha?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,956/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,338/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 Milwaukee-Waukesha?
Milwaukee-Waukesha has a Regional Price Parity of 96.94 (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 $79,358 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.