Economist salary in United States

The average salary for an Economist is $128,305 per year in the United States. This figure is based on 212 salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on July 25, 2026.

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Economist salaries typically range between a low of $71,852 and a high of $229,111 per year, depending on experience, location, and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Economist include San Francisco, CA at $231,917 per year, Washington, DC at $155,344 per year, and Chicago, IL at $128,114 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Economist include MERCOR ($315,000 per year) and Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco ($293,125 per year).

Compensation can vary based on the specific niche and level of responsibility within the field. Here is how the average Economist salary compares to related positions:

• Senior Economist: Average $133,096 per year
• Junior Economist: Average $87,492 per year