SOC 19-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Economists — District of Columbia
District of Columbia · 1 metro areas compared
At $167,590 a year, the median wage for Economists in District of Columbia sits 34.4% above the national figure of $124,720.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $167,590 a year, the median wage for Economists in District of Columbia sits 34.4% above the national figure of $124,720. Half of workers earn between $115,910 and $224,080. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $98,350 and the ninetieth at $299,110.
The area has 3,000 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 37.34 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 40 states with published data for this occupation, District of Columbia ranks 1st by median wage. Washington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $156,750. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 26th of 465 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $98,350 | −21.1% |
| 25th | $115,910 | −7.1% |
| Median (50th) | $167,590 | +34.4% |
| 75th | $224,080 | +79.7% |
| 90th | $299,110 | +139.8% |
| Mean | $175,100 | +40.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in District of Columbia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $156,750 | 4,570 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $167,590 buys what $152,493 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 22.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$167,590as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$152,493US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $167,590 a year, 34.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $98,350 to $299,110 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,000 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 1st of 40 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Washington, at $156,750.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Economists in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage is $167,590, or $80.57 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $124,720, so pay in District of Columbia is 34.4% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in District of Columbia earns more than $299,110 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $98,350 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Washington, at $156,750 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,000 jobs in this occupation in District of Columbia. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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