SOC 19-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Economists — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 2 metro areas compared
At $84,000, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Economists, 32.6% beneath the national figure of $124,720.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $84,000, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Economists, 32.6% beneath the national figure of $124,720. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $72,920 and $110,970. The lowest tenth earn under $53,340, while the highest tenth earn more than $132,270.
Employment stands at 280, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 40 states with published data for this occupation, Wisconsin ranks 34th by median wage. Madison leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $88,770. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 147th of 728 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,340 | −57.2% |
| 25th | $72,920 | −41.5% |
| Median (50th) | $84,000 | −32.6% |
| 75th | $110,970 | −11.0% |
| 90th | $132,270 | +6.1% |
| Mean | $91,630 | −26.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $84,000 goes as far as $89,267 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$84,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$89,267US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $84,000 a year, 32.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $53,340 to $132,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 34th of 40 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Madison, at $88,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Economists in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $84,000, or $40.39 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 Wisconsin is 32.6% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $132,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $53,340 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 Madison, at $88,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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