SOC 19-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Economists — Missouri
Missouri · 2 metro areas compared
At $117,010, median pay for Economists in Missouri tracks the national median of $124,720 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $117,010, median pay for Economists in Missouri tracks the national median of $124,720 closely. Pay ranges from under $73,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $229,510 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $90,060 to $172,880.
Employment stands at 280, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Missouri ranks number 18th out of 40 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $132,630. Of the 733 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 49th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,260 | −41.3% |
| 25th | $90,060 | −27.8% |
| Median (50th) | $117,010 | −6.2% |
| 75th | $172,880 | +38.6% |
| 90th | $229,510 | +84.0% |
| Mean | $134,000 | +7.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $132,630 | 90 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $128,520 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $117,010 goes as far as $128,866 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$117,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$128,866US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $117,010 a year, 6.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $73,260 to $229,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 18th of 40 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $132,630.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Economists in Missouri?
The median annual wage is $117,010, or $56.26 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 Missouri is 6.2% lower. 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 Missouri earns more than $229,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $73,260 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 St. Louis, at $132,630 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Missouri. 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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