Economists Salary
In Pennsylvania, economists earn $115,000 at the median, or about $55.29 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $165K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $121,091 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 18.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $115K get you in Pennsylvania?
About economists
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Economists pay in Pennsylvania tracks closely to the national median, $115K locally vs. $125K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,351/month, 18.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Pennsylvania
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $115K. Top earners bring in $165K or more, a $100K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Pennsylvania
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $140K | +21% | 220 |
| Pittsburgh | $123K | +7% | 90 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $80K | -30% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $115K, rent takes 18.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $65K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,870/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 35% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $115K locally vs. $125K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for economists?
Pennsylvania pays $115K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $121K — below the national median.
How much do economists make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $115,000 a year, that works out to about $55 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,500, and experienced economists can clear $164,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $115K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,146/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 18.9% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $121,091 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.