Economist Salary in Washington
Based on 450+ workers in Washington
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (WA)
$109,300
$52.55/hr
vs National Average
$111,296
-1.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$80K – $168K
450 employed in Washington
Salary Distribution — Economist in Washington
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $80,320 |
| 25th percentile | $91,060 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $109,300 |
| 75th percentile | $135,350 |
| 90th percentile | $167,960 |
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 Washington 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 Washington vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Washington) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $93,120 |
| 2023 | $105,790 |
| 2024 | $116,390 |
| 2025 | $109,300 |
| 2026 (projected) | $109,300 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Washington Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $93,120 | $96,369 |
| 2023 | $105,790 | $98,241 |
| 2024 | $116,390 | $102,371 |
| 2025 | $109,300 | $111,296 |
| 2026 (projected) | $109,300 | $111,296 |
Economist Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $91,060 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $109,300 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $135,350 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $167,960 |
Economist Salary in Other States
Related Economist Salaries in Washington
How other high-demand occupations in Washington compare to Economist ($109,300 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Economist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in WA | $174,840 | +60.0% | $84.06/hr |
| Actuary in WA | $134,720 | +23.3% | $64.77/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in WA | $114,050 | +4.3% | $54.83/hr |
| Financial Examiner in WA | $113,700 | +4.0% | $54.66/hr |
| Financial Analyst in WA | $107,210 | -1.9% | $51.54/hr |
| Budget Analyst in WA | $96,640 | -11.6% | $46.46/hr |
| Accountant in WA | $96,550 | -11.7% | $46.42/hr |
| Credit Analyst in WA | $91,160 | -16.6% | $43.83/hr |
| Compliance Officer in WA | $88,790 | -18.8% | $42.69/hr |
| Tax Examiner in WA | $80,930 | -26.0% | $38.91/hr |
| Loan Officer in WA | $80,120 | -26.7% | $38.52/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in WA | $75,510 | -30.9% | $36.30/hr |