Economists Salary
In Texas, economists earn $121,420 at the median, or about $58.38 an hour. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $219K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $132,714 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,415/month, or 18.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $121K get you in Texas?
About economists
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What this looks like in Texas
Economists pay in Texas tracks closely to the national median, $121K locally vs. $125K nationwide, a 3% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,415/month, 18.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% 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, Texas
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $121K. Top earners bring in $219K or more, a $152K spread from bottom to top.
Economists salary by metro in Texas
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $122K | +1% | 210 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $107K | -12% | 50 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $87K | -28% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track economists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a economist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
Yes — at the median salary of $121K, rent takes 18.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for economists in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new economists typically earn — is $67K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,006/month. At HUD’s $1,415/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 Texas?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $121K locally vs. $125K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Texas compare to the national average for economists?
Texas pays $121K median vs. the U.S. average of $125K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $133K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do economists make in Texas?
The median is $121,420 a year, that works out to about $58 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,760, and experienced economists can clear $219,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $121K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,812/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 18.1% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $132,714 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.