Economists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, economists earn $134,410 at the median — $64.62 an hour. The range runs from $78K at the entry level to $221K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $116,262 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 45.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $134K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About economists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $78K. Mid-career wages sit at $134K.Top earners bring in $221K or more - a $143K 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 |
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do economists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $134,410 a year - that works out to about $64.62 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $78,090, and experienced economists can clear $220,670. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $134K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,832/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 46% 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 San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (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 $116,262 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.