Economists Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $116,880 +1.2% vs national
Median hourly $56.19
10th percentile $78,420
90th percentile $149,770
Employed locally 160
National median $115,440

Compare Economists salary & buying power

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Economists
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $78,420
    25th
    $89,070
    50th (median)
    $116,880
    75th
    $134,990
    90th
    $149,770

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Economists salary vs area income 124% Median Economists salary is 24% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $168,850
    New York $142,300
    Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $134,510
    Georgia $127,220
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $125,630
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $124,780

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians$47,390
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$99,540
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$88,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$97,380
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$62,190
    Urban and Regional Planners$99,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Economists make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Economists in Portland, OR-WA is $56.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.63 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Economists salaries?

    The median Economists salary in Portland, OR-WA is 1.2% above 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Economists (10th percentile) earn around $78,420 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $89,070.