Economist Salary in Tennessee
Based on 80+ workers in Tennessee
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (TN)
$117,650
$56.56/hr
vs National Average
$111,296
+5.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$84K – $163K
80 employed in Tennessee
Salary Distribution — Economist in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $83,610 |
| 25th percentile | $96,170 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $117,650 |
| 75th percentile | $145,220 |
| 90th percentile | $162,670 |
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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Tennessee) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $78,000 |
| 2023 | $81,640 |
| 2024 | $110,320 |
| 2025 | $117,650 |
| 2026 (projected) | $124,709 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Tennessee Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $78,000 | $96,369 |
| 2023 | $81,640 | $98,241 |
| 2024 | $110,320 | $102,371 |
| 2025 | $117,650 | $111,296 |
| 2026 (projected) | $124,709 | $117,974 |
Economist Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $96,170 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $117,650 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $145,220 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $162,670 |
Economist Salary in Other States
Related Economist Salaries in Tennessee
How other high-demand occupations in Tennessee compare to Economist ($117,650 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Economist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in TN | $141,010 | +19.9% | $67.79/hr |
| Actuary in TN | $108,930 | -7.4% | $52.37/hr |
| Financial Analyst in TN | $92,990 | -21.0% | $44.71/hr |
| Financial Examiner in TN | $87,110 | -26.0% | $41.88/hr |
| Budget Analyst in TN | $86,570 | -26.4% | $41.62/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in TN | $84,160 | -28.5% | $40.46/hr |
| Accountant in TN | $76,840 | -34.7% | $36.94/hr |
| Credit Analyst in TN | $72,550 | -38.3% | $34.88/hr |
| Tax Examiner in TN | $69,240 | -41.1% | $33.29/hr |
| Compliance Officer in TN | $63,960 | -45.6% | $30.75/hr |
| Loan Officer in TN | $62,800 | -46.6% | $30.19/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in TN | $58,050 | -50.7% | $27.91/hr |