Economist Salary in North Carolina
Based on 290+ workers in North Carolina
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (NC)
$136,150
$65.46/hr
vs National Average
$111,296
+22.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$35K – $224K
290 employed in North Carolina
Salary Distribution — Economist in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,460 |
| 25th percentile | $79,790 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $136,150 |
| 75th percentile | $172,860 |
| 90th percentile | $224,270 |
Top-Paying Industries for Economist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Economists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Economists in North Carolina tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $210,780 | 30 |
| Wholesale Trade | $207,400 | 40 |
| Manufacturing | $180,320 | 90 |
| Finance and Insurance | $173,990 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $160,150 | 170 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Economist in North Carolina vs National
| Year | Median Salary (North Carolina) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $52,080 |
| 2023 | $95,360 |
| 2024 | $111,770 |
| 2025 | $136,150 |
| 2026 (projected) | $144,319 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | North Carolina Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $52,080 | $96,369 |
| 2023 | $95,360 | $98,241 |
| 2024 | $111,770 | $102,371 |
| 2025 | $136,150 | $111,296 |
| 2026 (projected) | $144,319 | $117,974 |
Economist Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,790 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $136,150 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $172,860 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $224,270 |
Economist Salary in Other States
Related Economist Salaries in North Carolina
How other high-demand occupations in North Carolina compare to Economist ($136,150 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Economist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in NC | $166,780 | +22.5% | $80.18/hr |
| Actuary in NC | $128,730 | -5.4% | $61.89/hr |
| Financial Analyst in NC | $102,390 | -24.8% | $49.23/hr |
| Financial Examiner in NC | $100,730 | -26.0% | $48.43/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in NC | $96,880 | -28.8% | $46.58/hr |
| Credit Analyst in NC | $94,570 | -30.5% | $45.47/hr |
| Budget Analyst in NC | $82,350 | -39.5% | $39.59/hr |
| Accountant in NC | $82,050 | -39.7% | $39.45/hr |
| Tax Examiner in NC | $80,900 | -40.6% | $38.89/hr |
| Compliance Officer in NC | $78,500 | -42.3% | $37.74/hr |
| Loan Officer in NC | $75,920 | -44.2% | $36.50/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in NC | $74,040 | -45.6% | $35.60/hr |