Economist Salary in Pennsylvania
Based on 560+ workers in Pennsylvania
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (PA)
$115,000
$55.29/hr
vs National Average
$111,296
+3.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$65K – $165K
560 employed in Pennsylvania
Salary Distribution — Economist in Pennsylvania
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $64,500 |
| 25th percentile | $81,470 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $115,000 |
| 75th percentile | $138,010 |
| 90th percentile | $164,650 |
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Pennsylvania) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $98,390 |
| 2023 | $97,860 |
| 2024 | $113,300 |
| 2025 | $115,000 |
| 2026 (projected) | $116,726 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Pennsylvania Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $98,390 | $96,369 |
| 2023 | $97,860 | $98,241 |
| 2024 | $113,300 | $102,371 |
| 2025 | $115,000 | $111,296 |
| 2026 (projected) | $116,726 | $112,966 |
Economist Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $81,470 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $115,000 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $138,010 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $164,650 |
Economist Salary in Other States
Related Economist Salaries in Pennsylvania
How other high-demand occupations in Pennsylvania compare to Economist ($115,000 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Economist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in PA | $145,610 | +26.6% | $70.00/hr |
| Actuary in PA | $125,040 | +8.7% | $60.12/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in PA | $105,200 | -8.5% | $50.58/hr |
| Compliance Officer in PA | $85,580 | -25.6% | $41.14/hr |
| Financial Analyst in PA | $84,460 | -26.6% | $40.61/hr |
| Budget Analyst in PA | $84,240 | -26.7% | $40.50/hr |
| Credit Analyst in PA | $80,280 | -30.2% | $38.60/hr |
| Accountant in PA | $79,000 | -31.3% | $37.98/hr |
| Tax Examiner in PA | $78,610 | -31.6% | $37.79/hr |
| Financial Examiner in PA | $78,500 | -31.7% | $37.74/hr |
| Insurance Sales Agent in PA | $73,370 | -36.2% | $35.27/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in PA | $71,840 | -37.5% | $34.54/hr |