Economists Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $129,280 +12% vs national
Median hourly $62.16
10th percentile $70,560
90th percentile $232,520
Employed locally 250
National median $115,440

Compare Economists salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Seattle, WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Economists
in
Seattle, WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $70,560
    25th
    $107,720
    50th (median)
    $129,280
    75th
    $145,620
    90th
    $232,520

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Economists salary vs area income 115% Median Economists salary is 15% 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
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $157,980
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $116,880
    Washington $116,390
    Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI $106,350
    Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL $101,270

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $101,500
    Biological Technicians $58,090
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $98,950
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $99,680
    Urban and Regional Planners $103,410
    Biological Scientists, All Other $98,750

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Economists make per hour in Seattle?

    The median hourly wage for Economists in Seattle, WA is $62.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $87.47 or more per hour.

    Is Seattle above or below average for Economists salaries?

    The median Economists salary in Seattle, WA is 12% 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Economists (10th percentile) earn around $70,560 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $107,720.