Economists Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
In Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, economists earn $124,780 at the median — $59.99 an hour. The range runs from $65K at the entry level to $187K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $127,405 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,713/month, or 22.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $125K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
About economists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $65K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K.Top earners bring in $187K or more - a $122K 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do economists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $124,780 a year - that works out to about $59.99 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,380, and experienced economists can clear $187,350. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $125K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,449/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 23% 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (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 $127,405 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.