Economists Salary
In Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL, economists earn $102,430 at the median, or about $49.24 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $172K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.42), that's roughly $100,996 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,972/month, or 28.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $102K get you in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford’s Regional Price Parity (101.42). 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.
About economists
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What this looks like in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
Pay for economists in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $125K. Rent runs $1,972/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 101.42) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for economists in metros near Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $118K | $103K |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $104K | $103K |
| Tallahassee | $70K | $75K |
| Jacksonville | $137K | $138K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $102K. Top earners bring in $172K or more, a $107K spread from bottom to top.
Economists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Economists salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $168K | +34% | 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $168K | +34% | 280 |
| Delaware | $159K | +28% | 70 |
| Maryland | $145K | +16% | 1,130 |
| Kansas | $139K | +11% | 80 |
| Virginia | $138K | +10% | 950 |
| New York | $137K | +10% | 910 |
| North Carolina | $136K | +9% | 290 |
| Idaho | $131K | +5% | 130 |
| Alabama | $130K | +4% | 40 |
| Georgia | $123K | -2% | 260 |
| Oregon | $122K | -2% | 320 |
| Texas | $121K | -3% | 560 |
| Colorado | $121K | -3% | 240 |
| Ohio | $120K | -4% | 140 |
| California | $119K | -4% | 860 |
| Tennessee | $118K | -6% | 80 |
| Missouri | $117K | -6% | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $115K | -8% | 560 |
| Alaska | $111K | -11% | 80 |
| Washington | $109K | -12% | 450 |
| Massachusetts | $106K | -15% | 1,030 |
| Michigan | $106K | -15% | 320 |
| Minnesota | $105K | -16% | 500 |
| Florida | $102K | -18% | 500 |
| Connecticut | $101K | -19% | 210 |
| Iowa | $96K | -23% | 70 |
| Arkansas | $92K | -27% | 50 |
| Maine | $91K | -27% | 70 |
| Nevada | $91K | -27% | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $90K | -28% | 80 |
| Montana | $89K | -28% | 90 |
| New Hampshire | $86K | -31% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $84K | -33% | 280 |
| Hawaii | $83K | -33% | 50 |
| Indiana | $81K | -35% | 80 |
| Arizona | $80K | -36% | 340 |
| Nebraska | $76K | -39% | 90 |
| Louisiana | $73K | -41% | 140 |
| Kentucky | $71K | -43% | 100 |
Showing 1–10 of 40 states with published data
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 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford?
Yes — at the median salary of $102K, rent takes 29.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,972/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford?
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 $1,972/month FMR, rent would take 50% 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 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $102K here vs. $125K nationally.
How does Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford compare to the national average for economists?
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford pays $102K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.42), the purchasing-power equivalent is $101K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL?
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 $172,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $102K enough to live in Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,704/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,972/month, which eats 29.4% 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 Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford?
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford has a Regional Price Parity of 101.42 (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 $100,996 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.