Economists pay range in Tucson
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,230 a year or less, while the top 10% make $110,050 or more. The middle half of economists in Tucson earn between $79,610 and $79,610.
- $71K10th
- $80K25th
- $80KMedian
- $80K75th
- $110K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $83,420 | $6,952 | $40.11 |
| Median | $79,610 | $6,634 | $38.27 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $79,610 | $6,634 | $38.27 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $79,610 | $6,634 | $38.27 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Tucson vs. Arizona and the U.S.
Economists in Tucson earn 16% less than the Arizona average ($99,420) and 41% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is -36% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson | $83,420 | $79,610 | $71,230 | $110,050 | n/a |
| Arizona | $99,420 | $79,610 | $75,000 | $138,990 | 340 |
| United States | $142,130 | $124,720 | $67,360 | $238,060 | 17,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Economists salary after taxes in Tucson
On the average salary of $83,420, a single filer in Tucson takes home about $65,824 a year, or $5,485 a month and $2,532 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Tucson a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Tucson area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 96.9), so the average $83,420 buys what about $86,092 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Tucson ($47,760). A typical home costs $343,580, or 4.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in other Arizona cities
Tucson ranks 2nd of 2 Arizona metro areas for this job; Phoenix pays the most ($120,630).
- Phoenix$120,630
- Tucson$83,420
Highest-paying cities for economists
New York, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($184,860).
- New York, NY$184,860
- Washington, DC$166,140
- Durham, NC$159,310
- St. Louis, MO$156,690
- Los Angeles, CA$155,860
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Economists salary in Tucson: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Tucson?
$40.11 an hour on average, and $38.28 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Tucson?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,230 a year and the 25th percentile is $79,610, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Tucson?
About $65,824 a year ($5,485 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $83,420.
Do economists earn more in Tucson than elsewhere?
The average here is 41% less than the U.S. average for this job ($142,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3011; area Tucson, AZ (46060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 8.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
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