Economists Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $113,860 -1.4% vs national
Median hourly $54.74
10th percentile $61,450
90th percentile $151,810
Employed locally 40
National median $115,440

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Economists
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Des Moines, IA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $61,450
    25th
    $68,390
    50th (median)
    $113,860
    75th
    $137,580
    90th
    $151,810

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Economists salary vs area income 135% Median Economists salary is 35% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Economists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $168,850
    District of Columbia $162,610
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $157,980
    Virginia $148,010
    New York $142,300
    Maryland $137,610

    Nearby metros — Economists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $162,610
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $157,980
    Virginia $148,010
    Georgia $127,220
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $125,630
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $124,780

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Agricultural Technicians $39,340
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $82,830
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $101,880
    Soil and Plant Scientists $86,120
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $76,220
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $44,040

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Economists make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Economists in Des Moines, IA is $54.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $71.09 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Economists salaries?

    The median Economists salary in Des Moines, IA is 1.4% below the national median of $115,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Economists in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Economists (10th percentile) earn around $61,450 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $68,390.