Economists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $102,220 -11.5% vs national
Median hourly $49.15
10th percentile $50,310
90th percentile $180,920
Employed locally 50
National median $115,440

Compare Economists salary & buying power

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Economists
in
San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,310
    25th
    $83,370
    50th (median)
    $102,220
    75th
    $137,740
    90th
    $180,920

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Economists salary vs area income 100% Median Economists salary is 0% 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $134,410
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $123,140
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $121,820
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $118,190
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $114,070
    North Carolina $111,770

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $128,270
    Biological Scientists, All Other $105,160
    Biological Technicians $61,070
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $65,560
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists $99,990
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $97,300

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Economists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Economists in San Diego, CA is $49.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $133.70 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Economists salaries?

    The median Economists salary in San Diego, CA is 11.5% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Economists (10th percentile) earn around $50,310 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $83,370.