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.
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 #2 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $176,090 | $122,274 | $108,628 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $156,750 | $108,049 | $99,233 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $108,140 | $79,719 | $73,633 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
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 #2 of 3 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
- Physicist — $171,580
- Physical Scientists, All Other — $170,980
- Astronomer — $156,750
- Political Scientist — $156,730
- Chemist — $144,680
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — $138,250
- Psychologists, All Other — $129,730
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist — $117,600
- Biological Scientists, All Other — $114,920
- Microbiologist — $114,800
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $109,170
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $108,160