Economist Salary in Washington, DC
Economists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $156,750 a year — 26% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $108,049 take-home, or $9,004 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$26,354
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,719
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,273
- District of Columbia income tax$10,355
- Take-home pay$108,049
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Economist pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,440 | $44.92 | $69,591 | $5,799 |
| 25th percentile | $115,830 | $55.69 | $83,439 | $6,953 |
| Median (50th) | $156,750 | $75.36 | $108,049 | $9,004 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 | $131,718 | $10,977 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $259,290+ | $124.66 | $170,210 | $14,184 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,750 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median economist's $108,049 take-home pay has the buying power of $99,233 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 12.7× the national concentration of economist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for economists, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #1 of 1 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 1 metros →
About the job: economists
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +4.7% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a economist make in Washington, DC?
The median economist salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $156,750 a year, or about $75.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $115,830 and $195,190.
What is a economist’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $156,750 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $108,049 a year ($9,004 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,355 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a economist?
Pay here is 26% above the national median of $124,720. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $99,233 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #1 of 1 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a economist afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median economist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Chemist — $144,680
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $107,110